Businessman and current Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sam Jonah, has urged government to rethink its approach to addressing the country’s persistent illegal mining challenge, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a Fireside Chat organised by the School of Communication Studies at Wisconsin International University College, the UCC Chancellor stressed that the fight against illegal mining should not focus solely on drafting new laws, but rather on stricter enforcement of existing ones.
He explained that the battle would be more effective if traditional leaders were empowered and actively engaged in decision-making, since they are closer to the communities where mining activities occur.
“What must be said, though, is that it is not the absence of laws to control the damage that is done. Because the laws are very clear. So it is not that we need more laws. It is just that we need more enforcement. And you can only enforce when there is an important element missing in all of this. And that is the involvement of traditional leaders in the economy.”
Beyond natural resources, Sam Jonah also turned attention to another subject shaping the global economy — Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He described AI as a powerful tool with the potential to transform industries but issued a word of caution to the youth. According to him, while AI offers endless possibilities, it must be used wisely.
“But beware, no algorithm, no machine, no AI can replace your own creativity, your own intelligence, and your own grit. Above all, no technology can replace authentic human communication. Technology is a tool. Use it as the wind in your sails, but never as the captain of your ship.”
Jonah’s call on galamsey comes at a time when illegal mining continues to devastate Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems despite several government interventions.
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane and Charles Wumbe Dauda | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
