Beneath The Earth: The Truth About Galamsey In Ghana

Dr. Solomon D. Y. Kwashie

From a Biblical perspective, humanity was created after all else necessary for survival. Our creator reviewed these creations and deemed them good for us. Humans were designed to live harmoniously with their environment and manage it responsibly. Ghana, once called the Gold Coast, was blessed with an abundance of minerals, including gold.

However, the question remains whether this blessing has benefited Ghanaians or if irresponsible stewardship has squandered it. In my opinion, Ghana has been blessed, but we've turned these blessings into destructive tools, harming other resources, including our water bodies. We have cut our Cocoa and Timber in search of Gold just because of a lack of leadership on the part of Governments over the years.

A philosopher once noted that humans are naturally selfish, prompting decent individuals to establish leadership and followership concepts. Leaders guide their followers to ensure peaceful coexistence. Protecting Ghana's treasures requires effective leadership. The 1992 Constitution and laws recognize the need to protect the environment while exploiting resources.

Unfortunately, Ghana's leadership has failed to prioritize sustainable environmental protection. Galamsey, or illegal gold mining, endangers the environment due to a lack of regulation. This practice has become a political tool for gaining votes, causing politicians to prioritize their retention in office over environmental protection.

This is to say that the protection of the environment is the duty of leadership and followers. However, leadership must demonstrate commitment to sustainable environmental protection to set a tone for followers to adhere to. This has not been the case in Ghana over the years. In enriching ourselves we have forgotten the fact that man cannot live peacefully without a safe environment.

Galamsey is an illegal mining of gold practiced in most of Ghana and other West African countries. The practice is not regulated which endangers the environment. The practice has become a political tool exploited by the political class to get votes. Politicians are now afraid to insist on environmental protection. Their retention in office or removal is linked with Galamsey and other destructive activities. Politicians now prioritize their retention in office over insisting on the right things being done including banning illegal mining in Ghana.

Key Issues with Galamsey:

• Environmental degradation: Water pollution and deforestation
• Health risks: Exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury
• Economic impact: Threats to cocoa production and the chocolate industry

If lawmakers prioritize party interests over citizens' well-being and future generations, we have a long way to go as a nation. We cannot wait for divine intervention; we must take action. With many struggling for clean drinking water, we must wake up to the reality that nature cannot be cheated. We are also hearing of Chiefs who are to call the politicians to book also heavily engaging in Galamasey. Who then are the gatekeepers? We are happy all hope is not lost.

In the recent past, we have come across videos in which some respectable politicians have traded their quest to retain their parliamentary seats to call a bluff the call against Galamsey. If we have lawmakers who made laws to protect the environment knowing throwing all these laws to the dogs, then we have a long way to go. It seems the President of Ghana is prioritizing the retention of this political party in government in the next elections over prioritizing the life of the citizens and future generations, then the creator may regret this moment blessing us with abundant resources.

We are glad that Ghanaians have renewed calls for the government to ban Galamsey. Civil society organizations, religious leaders, and churches have joined this call, recognizing the dangers of irresponsible actions. However, some politicians have compromised their values to retain power.

Heaven, they say help the prepared and those who help themselves. We cannot wait for God to change the situation if we do not play an active role. Even in the current state of the country where the majority of the population is already struggling for good drinking water and state institutions are struggling to provide the same, we must wake up to the call that nature cannot be cheated. The government must not prove that they have failed us by continuing to remain idle as the forest is destroyed in search of Gold. God bless our land Ghana with wisdom to protect what we have. As we strive to protect Ghana's treasures, let us remember that leadership is key. We must prioritize sustainable environmental protection and hold our leaders accountable for their actions.

The Way Forward:

• Strong leadership: Prioritize environmental protection and sustainable practices
• Policy enforcement: Implement and enforce laws against Galamsey
• Public awareness: Educate citizens on the dangers of Galamsey and its consequences
• Collaboration: Engage civil society, religious leaders, and churches to promote environmental protection

May God grant us the courage to change things that offend and the wisdom to retain what needs not be destroyed.