President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has expressed deep concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s unfulfilled promise to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Dwumfour urged the President to deliver on his pledge before exiting office.
Speaking at the 28th GJA Awards and 75th anniversary in Accra on September 28, Dwumfour lamented galamsey‘s devastating impact on Ghana’s water bodies and environment, describing it as “shameful.”
He called on Ghanaians to wage a relentless war against illegal mining.
Dwumfour emphasised the need for strict enforcement of mining laws and regulations, as well as maximum sentences for offenders.
“Illegal mining, commonly referred to as Galamsey, is currently a topical issue in the country due to its devastating effects on the environment, particularly our water bodies, which serve as major sources of drinking water.
Galamsey has wreaked havoc on our environment and all our water bodies. As a Ghanaian, it saddens me to see once-clean bodies of water turn a dark brown colour. This is shameful, and we must all, as Ghanaians, wage a war against galamsey.
“There should be strict enforcement of all mining laws and regulations without any concessions, as well as the imposition of maximum sentences on offenders. This is a reliable approach to addressing this issue.
“We are aware that some time ago, Mr President made a firm vow to stop galamsey, but regrettably, that promise has not been fulfilled. Mr. President, you have barely three months until the end of the administration, and we are hopeful that you will deal with the situation before you leave office.”
Dwumfour renewed his call for a state of emergency on Ghana’s water bodies.
“We still maintain that a state of emergency must be declared over our water bodies and all planned and active mining concessions overlapping with river buffers should be abrogated and all mining activities within 50 meters buffer of all rivers and streams should be halted with immediate effect. We also reiterate that LI 2462 should be repealed immediately.”
