Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, has urged Ghanaians to collectively fight illegal mining devoid of partisan politics.
Ing. Ashigbey in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, October 12, bemoaned the threats posed by illegal mining, commonly called galamsey and called for unanimity in combating the menace.
He also called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to deliver a formal address on the menace to the nation, outlining clearly, measures he will deploy to rid Ghana’s waterbodies and forest reserves of the ongoing destructions.
“We have a crisis of existential proportions and we need to mobilise all of Ghana and I plead that we do not do partisan politics with galamsey because you don’t know the water that you are drinking. You don’t know the food you are eating and so we all need to fight galamsey as it should be fought.
“The president is the one in charge of the country and he needs to take extra action but he needs to be commended for what he has started for us to win this fight. The president demonstrated leadership when it came to COVID-19 and so our prayer is that the president should speak on this menace.”
As part of actions taken by the Media Coalition Against Galamsey to compel the government to place a ban on all forms of mining, a red band protest was declared on Thursday, October 10.
Participants of the protest are encouraged to show their support by wearing red bands on their arms or heads and tying red bands on cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and other vehicles.
They are also urged to share photos and videos of their participation on social media with the hashtags #StopGalamseynow, #SaveOurLand, and #SaveOurFuture.
