By:Myjoyonline

Deputy National Director of A ROCHA Ghana, Mr. Daryl Bosu, says Ghana requires a community-based approach to tackle the illegal mining menace.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on mitigating the adverse effects of small-scale mining in Ghana, held at Asiakwa, Mr. Bosu noted that the current top-down approach to addressing the issue is not sustainable.

He explained that A ROCHA Ghana's experience in various mining communities shows that, after witnessing the environmental devastation caused by irresponsible mining, many community members have resolved to oppose such practices.

However, they often lack support from central government authorities.

Mr. Bosu added that while community members are willing to act as environmental guards, the fact that illegal miners are often armed makes it difficult for locals to confront them.

According to him, the most effective way to address the issue is for the government to collaborate meaningfully with communities and other stakeholders to remove illegal miners from the system.

'Based on our experience on the ground, the communities are ready to assist in fighting the menace. Even those who were in support of mining have back off since they started experiencing the devastating effects. Now the difficulty is that, they're not getting the support required to flash these guys form the system' Daryl Bosu.

He said Ghana does not need any River Guards to protect river bodies in galamsey communities because the community people are themselves guards, indicating that all they need is collaboration and support from the government.

"The people are already volunteering information, but they do not get a swift response to flash these illegal miners out," A ROCHA Boss mentioned.

Dr. Clement Sarfo-Nyarko from King's College in London also believes that process-based leadership could help in solving the menace.

He indicated that a close collaboration between all stakeholders is the surest way to solve the illegal mining menace.