The recent arrest of two Chinese nationals and the interception of Burkinabè workers by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force in the Western and Western North Regions once again brings to the fore the stubborn menace of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
This destructive practice remains one of Ghana’s gravest environmental cancers, threatening the very survival of our land, water bodies, and generations yet unborn. For years, the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and environmental activists have persistently sounded the alarm over the devastating consequences of galamsey.
Rivers, once pure enough to drink from, have turned into toxic sludge, farmlands have been rendered infertile and forests, once teeming with life now stand as barren wastelands. Yet, despite these grim realities, the fight against illegal mining continues to face resistance from those who should know better.
The 1992 Constitution clearly vests all mineral resources in the President, held in trust for the people of Ghana. At the same time, traditional rulers are custodians of the lands, rivers and forests, passed down by their ancestors. This dual stewardship is meant to protect our shared natural heritage. Sadly, however, many traditional authorities have either turned a blind eye to the destruction or, worse, become complicit in it.
It is disheartening to learn that public figures who dare to speak against galamsey are often met with hostility. Speaking on TV3’s Key Point programme, former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, revealed that he faced opposition from some of his own constituents, including chiefs, for his stance against illegal mining. Such behaviour is a betrayal not only of their communities but also of the gods and ancestors who entrusted these lands to their care.
That said, there are commendable examples of chiefs who have stood firm in defence of the environment, notably the Dormaahene and the Mamponghene, who continue to resist galamsey activities within their traditional areas. Their courage should serve as a moral compass for others.
Galamsey is not just an environmental issue, it is a moral crisis, an economic tragedy and a national security threat.
The Chronicle urges the public, particularly the youth, not to exchange your future for short-term material gains from galamsey. The long-term consequences are far more devastating than the daily wages you earn. From one of the sites recently ransacked by NAIMOS, reports indicate that some galamsey kingpins now resort to spiritual practices and human sacrifices in their desperate pursuit of wealth.
We must also remember the numerous galamsey pits that have collapsed, trapping miners underground with little hope of rescue often worsened by superstitious beliefs that more deaths bring more gold. You could be the next victim. Save yourself and save the environment.
Every polluted river and scarred landscape stands as a reminder of our collective failure to protect the soul of this nation. If we do not act decisively with integrity, courage and unity, we risk losing more than our natural resources.
We risk losing our future.
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