Author and columnist Justice Matthew Akita has argued that no government can completely eradicate illegal mining in Ghana, describing the fight against galamsey as a challenge that requires a radical shift in strategy rather than political promises.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (29 July) about his new book, The Galamsey King Must Dance Naked, Akita said successive governments have underestimated the scale and complexity of illegal mining.

“As I sit here today, if I tell you hand on heart that anybody can stop galamsey, it will be extremely difficult,” he said.

He likened the problem to a volcano, saying while it cannot be stopped entirely, its impact can be managed.

“If somebody tells you they can stop galamsey, it’s like a volcano. You can’t stop a volcano, but you can do something about it after the volcano erupts,” he said.

Akita proposed a national innovation drive to develop technologies capable of restoring polluted rivers and degraded farmlands.

He suggested government should organise competitions involving universities, researchers and entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions for removing mercury and cyanide from contaminated water and rehabilitating mining sites.

“I believe there are so many intelligent Ghanaians that if we were to have a national competition… Ghana would be the winner,” he said.

According to him, tackling the environmental consequences of illegal mining should become an economic opportunity capable of creating jobs while restoring the country’s natural resources.