Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bekwai, has once again sparked controversy with his firm stance on how to deal with illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. In a recent interview on a Kumasi-based radio station, Osei-Owusu boldly proposed a ‘shoot to kill’ policy as a drastic measure to tackle the ongoing galamsey activities that continue to devastate Ghana’s environment.
Illegal mining has long been a problem in Ghana, particularly in rural areas, where individuals and small groups mine without the necessary permits, often disregarding environmental regulations. The result has been catastrophic for the country’s water bodies and forests, with widespread pollution and destruction of ecosystems. Chemicals like mercury and cyanide, commonly used in illegal mining to extract gold, have contaminated entire river systems, posing a severe threat to both human health and wildlife. Additionally, the widespread deforestation caused by illegal mining has raised concerns about the sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources.
Osei-Owusu, who is also known as Joe Wise, believes that the severity of the situation requires equally severe measures. He argues that the traditional approach to fighting galamsey, which includes arrests and fines, has not been effective in curbing the illegal activities. In his view, law enforcement officers should be authorized to use lethal force against those caught mining in restricted areas, particularly on water bodies, which have borne the brunt of galamsey-related pollution.
In his radio interview, Joe Wise minced no words in expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs. “You deserve to be shot if you are caught mining on a water body,” he stated emphatically. He recounted a specific incident in Dunkwa, where about 15 changfans—machines used in illegal mining—were spotted with individuals operating them. According to Osei-Owusu, when the patrol team arrived to apprehend the illegal miners, they quickly dived into the water, making it difficult for law enforcement to capture them. In his view, the most effective deterrent would have been to shoot the offenders on sight, thereby sending a strong message to others engaged in similar activities.
The Deputy Speaker’s proposal, while radical, reflects a growing frustration among many Ghanaians about the ongoing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. For years, the government has launched various initiatives to combat galamsey, including the establishment of the anti-galamsey task force known as Operation Halt. However, despite these efforts, illegal mining continues to thrive, with miners finding new ways to evade law enforcement.
Osei-Owusu’s call for a ‘shoot to kill’ policy is undoubtedly extreme, and it raises significant ethical and legal concerns. Critics argue that such an approach could lead to human rights violations and the potential for abuse by law enforcement personnel. The notion of using lethal force against civilians, even those engaged in illegal activities, is a deeply divisive issue, and many have expressed concern about the potential consequences of adopting such a policy.
On the other hand, supporters of Joe Wise’s stance argue that desperate times call for desperate measures. They believe that the traditional methods of dealing with galamsey have failed to yield results, and that a more forceful approach may be the only way to save Ghana’s rivers and forests from further destruction. For these supporters, the environmental damage caused by galamsey is so severe that it justifies taking extreme action to protect the country’s natural resources.
The debate over how best to tackle galamsey is far from settled. While Osei-Owusu’s proposal has sparked outrage in some quarters, it has also ignited a broader conversation about the limits of law enforcement and the role of the state in protecting the environment. As Ghana continues to grapple with the challenge of illegal mining, it is clear that finding a balance between enforcing the law and respecting human rights will be critical in determining the country’s future approach to this issue.
For now, Joseph Osei-Owusu’s ‘shoot to kill’ proposal remains a controversial suggestion, but it has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for stronger measures to combat illegal mining in Ghana. Whether or not such an extreme approach will be adopted remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the fight against galamsey is far from over, and the consequences of inaction could be dire for the nation’s environment.
