The Katholischer Akademischer Auslanänder- Dienst ( KAAD) and the Association of Scholars of West Africa (KASWA) have held their Annual Seminar at the St. Arnold Jansen Spirituality Center from 14th to 17th November, 2024.
The second day of the Seminar, which brought together scholars who are beneficiaries of the academic scholarship for post graduate studies in Germany, was themed, “Combating illegal mining and protecting natural resources in Ghana: the scholars role in developing a comprehensive strategy “.
This conference gave opportunity to scholars to share insights about the harmful effects of illegal mining and also to give alternative solutions for illegal mining in the country. 
Speaking at the Seminar, Rev. Fr. Joseph Blay, a Ghanaian Franciscan priest and an advocate against illegal mining expressed concerns regarding illegal mining. He said political involvement in the issue had led to the rise of illegal mining in the country.
He said, “Subsequent government have politicized the sector unfortunately… galamsayers have seen that the political figures are just playing games so that has not made our combating effective”.
Fr. Joseph Blay added that Scholars must investigate governmental institutions who have the responsibility of checking issues relating to illegal mining and environmental degradation.
“We have the Minerals commission, the Forestry commission, Water and Resource commission and we also have the Lands commission. Scholars must investigate the relevance of these institutions amid the environmental devastation caused by galamsey. Do they meet their reason for existence”, he said.
He therefore encouraged scholars to publicly share their research and called for collaboration among the government, civil societies and associations like KASWA to have a round table discussions and “play advocacy roles on behalf of the environment while showing their findings with stakeholders”.
Erastus Asare Donkor, an environmental journalist said that mining in forest reserves will cost the country billions of dollars to reclaim the lands and added that there are health implications of illegal mining as compared to the economic benefits.
He said, “In many of these reserves the destruction will cost billions of dollars to reclaim and it questions the environmental cost of illegal mining as compared to the benefits it brings to the Ghanaian economy”.
He described illegal mining as not only a criminal act but an evil act against nature.
Mr. Erastus encouraged scholars to improve their engagement with the public without fear, so as to enrich people with information and help in policy making.
Dr. Eric Stemn, a senior lecturer at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, emphasized the need to focus not only on miners at the site but financers and owners of illegal mining.
“The fight against small scale mining, we should not focus on the people who are doing the mining themselves because it is a whole ecosystem of food chain. There are people who sit on top of that food chain. We have financiers who own small scale mining. The main problem is those who are funding these activities”, he said.
He encouraged small scale miners to use alternative technologies such as the 3 point water purification system which can be used for responsible mining and avoid pollution in the environment.
He said, “We have tested at some small scale mines and we realize that it is effective. But once again it is about how this technology that can be socialized. There is a three point, when you do the washing you wash into one point and the water is directed into the second pond, the sediments will settle and the water will be on top up to the third pond. You will get all the sediment settling and you will get a clean water”
The KAAD, also known as Catholic Academic Exchange Service, is based in Germany. Through KAAD, the Association of Scholars of West Africa ( KASWA) are able to further their Masters and PhD programs in Germany. Their annual seminars aims at addressing and finding possible solutions to daily challenges.
By Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatchgh.com
