“Let Their Sacrifice Count”: Chamber of Mines Urges United Front Against ‘Galamsey’ After Ministers’ Deaths
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has called on all stakeholders-government, communities, civil society, and mining companies to come together and intensify the fight against illegal and irresponsible mining, in honour of the two ministers and other public servants who died in a tragic military helicopter crash near Obuasi.
In a solemn tribute, the Chamber highlighted the critical roles played by the late Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane-Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, in combating illegal mining and ensuring environmental protection and public safety across mining zones.
Rather than offering a pledge of its own, the Chamber used the moment to issue a broader call to action.
“As we mourn, we must all reflect on how we can individually and collectively commit to ending illegal mining. May the ultimate sacrifice of these eight gallant Ghanaians lead to an end to illegal and irresponsible mining,” the statement read.
The Chamber underscored that the loss of life, particularly among public servants who had shown unwavering commitment to safeguarding the mining sector should not be in vain. Their passing, it said, must inspire renewed dedication to building a sustainable mining environment that respects Ghana’s natural resources and communities.
The accident, which occurred in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of eight distinguished individuals, including ministers, a deputy national security coordinator, and senior military officers, sending shockwaves across the country.
In urging a united front against galamsey, the Chamber reminded the nation that illegal mining is not just a security or environmental issue, it is a collective responsibility that requires the resolve of every Ghanaian.
