One of the lead members of Democracy Hub Nii Aryi Opare has condemned the Ghanaian government’s recent deployment of Operation Halt 2, a campaign involving the use of force against illegal mining activities, known as “galamsey.”
Opare characterized the approach as a dangerous escalation, stressing that the nation must prioritize sustainable, community-driven solutions over violent measures.
“The tactic of employing force against our citizens is not the answer,” Opare articulated, condemning the government’s aggressive stance as an unethical response to a crisis that demands dialogue and understanding.
He argued that violent interventions will only exacerbate tensions and fail to address the root causes of illegal mining, which are often tied to economic hardship and lack of viable alternatives for the affected communities.
In his address, Opare emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in how the government approaches galamsey, advocating for constructive engagement with miners and the communities involved.
“We must explore sustainable solutions that provide alternatives for livelihoods, rather than resorting to coercion that endangers the lives of our citizens,” he asserted.
“The people suffering from the consequences of illegal mining deserve to be heard intimidation and fear tactics will not lead to lasting solutions,” he said, challenging the government to invest in dialogues and education efforts that empower communities to pursue safe and sustainable mining practices.
