By Alex

Copyright ahotoronline

The fight against galamsey (illegal mining) remains a deeply complex issue in Ghana. Despite successive governments making conscious efforts to address the devastation caused by this practice, the impact on the environment and public health continues to worsen. The destruction of ecosystems and contamination of water bodies are posing serious health hazards to communities across the country.
There is an urgent need for political leaders to refrain from using the galamsey issue as a tool for political gain. Instead, the focus must shift to finding lasting, bipartisan solutions to this growing environmental crisis.
The latest challenge confronting the nation requires the government to take a firm lead, supported by active citizen participation, in crafting and executing sustainable strategies to end illegal mining. Galamsey is polluting our rivers, destroying farmlands, and degrading Ghana’s rich biodiversity — threatening the future of generations to come.
It is time for the government to elevate the national discourse on environmental protection. This involves drawing on the expertise of civil society organizations (CSOs), stakeholders, and citizens to form a united front against this environmental crime.
Richard Elimah, a Natural Resource Governance Analyst, shared this perspective during an interview on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He emphasized that every Ghanaian has a role to play in combating illegal mining, especially as the situation spirals out of control.
According to Elimah, the President possesses the constitutional powers needed to make bold decisions to end galamsey. He believes the government must take a tougher stance, particularly in targeting and dismantling the networks of financiers who support and profit from illegal mining operations.
Fix the Country Movement Calls for Emergency Measures
In a related development, the Fix the Country Movement concluded its demonstration against illegal mining at the Revolutionary Square, in front of the Jubilee House.
The protesters called on the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle the galamsey menace, which they described as an existential threat to Ghana’s future. The group highlighted the alarming levels of environmental degradation, including the destruction of forests, rivers, and farmlands. They warned of dire consequences for food security, access to safe drinking water, and the survival of future generations.
Addressing the crowd, one of the conveners invoked the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, lamenting the country’s inability to confront illegal mining head-on.
“Nkrumah would be disappointed in Ghana today. He stood alone and brought justice to this country, but all of us together have failed to come together to fight and win the war against galamsey. He would be very disappointed, wherever he is,” the convener said.
He continued:
“As Ghanaians, we should be embarrassed that we have not been able to win this fight — especially on a day like Founder’s Day. The man we are celebrating today fought for Ghana’s independence single-handedly. We are here to call on the President to use his power and grant our request to end galamsey.”
The demonstration, held on Founder’s Day, aimed to spotlight the need for bold leadership and decisive action to halt the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
Story by: Alexander Kukah