National Treasurer of the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF), Vincent Kusi Kyei, is calling for a return to the burning of excavators as part of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
According to him, the current lenient posture of the state has emboldened galamsey operators and weakened efforts to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.
He argued that the most effective deterrent remains the destruction of the heavy machines driving the illegal activities.
Speaking on Adom FM and monitored by NewsDesksGH on November 25, he questioned why authorities allow excavators into the country before investigating their intended purpose.
“We can’t ask the purpose of the importation but will allow it into the country before tracking,” he lamented.
Mr. Kyei said if the machines were being imported for legitimate use, their impact would be visible in critical sectors.
“Roads are bad in Ghana, so why won’t these excavators be working on the road?”
He maintained that burning these excavators is necessary in the anti-galamsey fight and suggested that the remains could be recycled for better use.
“We should burn the excavators and use the metal for iron rods,” he said.
Mr. Kyei added that security agencies are also frustrated by the state’s reluctance to take decisive action.
“The last time, some soldiers said it is about time we allow them to exert their powers, and I think it is true. We are always giving excuses,” he said.
He further suggested that the lack of urgency in addressing galamsey reflects broader inconsistencies in national priorities.
“In Parliament, if MPs want something like ex gratia or salary increments, they will work on it and get it in less than one week. So why is it that this issue threatening our existence cannot be dealt with?”
The burning of excavators was previously implemented under “Operation Halt,” a controversial military-led initiative during Former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.
