If anyone is still in doubt, the recent investigative documentary by Erastus Asare Donkor of Luv FM in Kumasi, an affiliate of Multimedia group, which shows the devastating effect of galamsey on our land and water bodies, confirms that indeed Ghana is at war.
Unfortunately, the people engaged in galamsey who have declared war on our forests and water bodies, seem to be one step ahead of the nation.
With each measures taken by the government to combat the menace, the degradation of the water bodies and forests, keep getting worse. And what’s more worrisome is the involvement of political bigwigs, especially of the governing New Patriotic Party.
Underscoring the severity and urgency of the situation, president Akufo-Addo, in 2017 established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining; the mandate of the committee was to ensure coherence in the activities of agencies in the fight against the menace.
The government also commissioned an anti-galamsey task force ‘Operation Vanguard’ made up of personnel from the security agencies to clamp down on illegal miners.
But that notwithstanding, galamsey is still prevalent, and many have attributed the situation to weak enforcement of the laws.
It is time, for the government to switch to the final gear. All the talk and assurances, have not yielded any positive results, it is time to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.
It is good that, the president has swung into action by meeting major stakeholders, like the Chiefs and his appointees in the galamsey endemic regions. Outcome of the meeting, must shape the action, he will take going forward.
As a newspaper, we urge him to ensure that boots get on the ground fast enough to ensure our forests and water bodies are secure. Those found to be engaged in the menace, especially members of the political class, should be prosecuted with the speed of light.
