Galamsey Must End to Honor Helicopter Crash Victims, Says Awula Serwah

Awula Serwah, Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, has emphasized the urgent need to combat illegal mining (galamsey), stating that Ghana owes it to the victims of the August 6 helicopter crash and others who have lost their lives due to this menace.

Marking the first anniversary of the crash that claimed eight lives—Ms. Serwah described illegal mining as an “ongoing ecocide.” She highlighted that the tragedy should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a larger environmental and humanitarian crisis affecting the country.

“My condolences go out to everyone who has died because of this insanity. It’s an ongoing ecocide,” she said.

Ms. Serwah pointed out that the victims extend beyond the eight officials who perished in the crash. She mentioned children who have fallen into open pits, babies born with deformities due to mercury poisoning, mothers who have died giving birth, and police officers who drowned while pursuing illegal miners on water bodies.

“We owe it to all these victims to take action against this ecocide destroying Ghana,” she asserted.
She warned that initiatives like community mining or responsible mining would not be effective unless authorities rigorously enforce existing laws.

“You can call it community mining or responsible mining, but unless there are resources to monitor and ensure licensees operate within set boundaries, the problem remains,” she explained.

Ms. Serwah stressed that holding a mining license does not automatically legitimize an operation if the holder does not adhere to the conditions attached.

“If you have a license but go outside its parameters, you are engaged in illegal mining,” she stated.

Finally, she questioned Ghana’s capacity to effectively oversee the increasing number of licensed miners, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement.