A few weeks ago, government declared war on illegal mining, which popular name galamsey, has gained currency and notoriety in this country. Following that declaration to ensure that galamsey is stopped completely in this country, several civil society groups, individuals, including prominent chiefs as well as the media, have joined in the crusade.
IN support of this crusade, the media formed the Media Coalition Against Galamsey with the objective of highlighting issues concerning galamsey and its devastating impact on our water bodies, farms and the environment.
WE must admit that ever since government took this bold step towards bringing an end to the galamsey menace some progress has been made. We have seen some of these illegal miners vacating their sites and removing their excavators and other earthmoving equipment.
IN fact in some instances we see chiefs supervising the destruction of mining equipment belonging to galamsey operators, and also affirming their support to ensure that galamsey is stopped.
THIS is very encouraging. At least it sends a positive signal that many of our traditional authorities are in support of government’s effort to uproot galamsey.
OF course we known it is a difficult decision taken by government, albeit it is doing the right thing. Right from the day that government declared war on galamseyers there have been oppositions from all quarters, particularly from those galamseyers who claim they earned decent living from their operations.
THE latest one we are hearing is a threat by galamseyers that they will punish the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 poll. The message by these galamseyers is that in 2020 they will vote against the NPP for the reason that the party wants to stop an illegal act that is highly inimical to citizens of this country.
HOW patriotic can these individuals be? They do not realise the harm they are causing the nation for their selfish ends? The fight against galamsey must never be reduced to partisan political threats for we have come to the point where our nation and its future as far as the environment and our water bodies stand at a critical crossroad.
IT is in the light of the above that Weekend Today is happy that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called the bluff of these galamseyers who are nothing but nation wreckers!
“WHAT I will do is what God has told me to do, and that is what matters to me. What I have come to do is to take steps that will further the development of the country and that is what matters to me, not next election,” President Akufo-Addo made this statement when he addressed a durbar of chiefs and people of Akyem Wenchi. Well said Mr. President.
FROM the above we know that President Akufo-Addo remains unfazed by these empty threats by galamseyers. Weekend Today is happy again that the President is determined to see an end to galamsey.
MANY a times the fear of ruling parties losing the next general election sees them not taking right and bold decisions which benefits will inure to all of us. Well, it is gratifying that we have a President who has a strong will to take bold and right decisions to benefit Ghanaians, no matter the consequences. After all that is why majority of Ghanaians voted for him in the 2016 poll.
THUS we at Weekend Today want to use this medium to reaffirm our continuous support towards the fight against galamsey, and assert that we will actively do our bid to ensure that we curb galamsey in this country. The time to stop galamsey is now!
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