Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for intense inter-sectoral collaboration to prevent a “silos effect” in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
She said the fight required the relevant ministries and state institutions to work closely and operate from a common understanding of the challenges and interventions, to avoid duplication, conflicting actions and unintended consequences.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said her immediate approach would be to engage ministers whose portfolios have a direct bearing on illegal mining, particularly the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
She also identified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a key institution in the coordination process, saying a joint briefing would be necessary to establish a clear understanding of the issues confronting the country.
“The relevant ministers of the various ministries that have an interest in the fight — which will range from the Lands as well as the Local Government — to ensure that we are all on the same page to avoid silo effects,” she told Parliament’s Appointments Committee during her vetting.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said her first step would therefore be to obtain a comprehensive briefing in collaboration with the EPA before proceeding with interventions in the fight against illegal mining.
Her position underscores the need for a coordinated national response to galamsey, which has implications not only for environmental protection but also for land administration, local governance and the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
The Minister-designate is expected to take charge of the Environment, Science and Technology portfolio with responsibility for advancing policies aimed at protecting the environment while strengthening the role of science and technology in national development.
By: Christian Kpesese
