The leadership of the Royal Kente Weavers and Sellers Association (ROKWESA), under the leadership of its President, Kwame Nyame, has added its voice to the growing national call to end the devastating practice of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The Union noted that galamsey has become Ghana’s greatest environmental and moral crisis, noting that once-pure rivers such as Pra, Offin and Ankobra are now poisoned with mercury and choked with sludge.
It noted that forests and cocoa farms are being destroyed and fertile lands rendered useless at a rate that future generations may inherit a barren nation.
In a statement signed by the President of the Association, Mr. Kwame Nyame, the Association indicated that despite successive governments’ efforts through task forces, operations and committees, the menace persists, highlighting corruption, political compromise and lack of consistent enforcement as some of the reasons for the persistence of the practice.
“This is no longer just a policy failure – it is a moral question” because we value quick wealth above life and land.
The association suggested that the fight against the menace requires decisive leadership that prioritises the survival of Ghana over partisan interests, collaboration between government, traditional authorities, civil society, faith communities and the youth, as well as uncompromising enforcement of laws, without fear or favor, to dismantle the networks that shield illegal miners.
Mr. Nyame stated that as head of ROKWESA, he echoes the voice of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, whose moral authority and commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s heritage remind us that this fight must transcend politics and stressed that the “time to act is now, not tomorrow, not after another committee report, nor after another failed operation”.
The rivers will not wait. The forests will not wait. The children who will inherit this land cannot wait” for a pragmatic resolution.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
