The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has sounded the alarm, urging the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to take immediate and decisive action to stem the flow of fuel to illegal mining operations across the country.
In a petition dated Saturday, April 18, and addressed to the NPA’s Chief Executive, Edudzi Tamakloe, the coalition outlined a series of interventions it believes are crucial to disrupting what it describes as the primary driver of galamsey: the easy access to fuel.
Among the coalition’s key proposals is a call for the NPA to conduct thorough, data-driven assessments of fuel distribution patterns, with special attention to filling stations in mining hotspots. The GCAG suggests analyzing stations that record unusually high sales volumes compared to the number of registered vehicles in their vicinity, as these may be indicators of fuel being diverted to illegal mining sites. The group further insists that the findings of such assessments should be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.
The GCAG also recommends tough sanctions for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) found complicit in fueling illegal mining. It proposes the withdrawal of licenses from these firms, a lifetime industry ban for their directors, and the referral of offenders to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution.
Additionally, the coalition is advocating for the strict enforcement of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) protocols. This would require fuel suppliers to verify the legitimacy of clients, especially those purchasing large quantities of diesel in bulk containers, a common practice among illegal miners.
The group is also calling for closer collaboration between the NPA and security agencies to trace and intercept fuel consignments suspected of being destined for galamsey sites. Moreover, it stresses the need for more rigorous enforcement of environmental regulations, ensuring that those who facilitate illegal mining by supplying fuel are held accountable.
GCAG maintains that restricting access to fuel is one of the most effective ways to tackle illegal mining and is pressing for swift, concrete action to protect Ghana’s environment from further degradation.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com