Ghanaians have lost the will to fight galamsey and it’s scary — Oliver Barker

Ghanaian social activist and lead convener of the Democracy Hub pressure group, Oliver Barker Vormawor, has raised concerns about the growing sense of helplessness among communities affected by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, April 26, he said the fight against galamsey has suffered a major blow because many Ghanaians, especially those in mining communities, have given up.

“The level of despondency in those communities is huge. The belief that we can’t do anything about it is real. People have lost the will to fight, and that is scary.”

Barker Vormawor, who has been working with other civil society groups to train community activists, revealed that the lack of investment by the state and the complicity of traditional leaders have discouraged locals from standing up against the menace.

“The government is not invested in this. Our chiefs are behind this. If you speak up against it, you are isolated,” he lamented.

He warned that Ghana faces an existential threat if decisive actions are not taken urgently to tackle illegal mining.

Meanwhile, the government has reversed its initial plan to amend L.I. 2462 instead of repealing it completely, as advocated by stakeholders.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV on Wednesday, April 23, the CEO of the Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, revealed that the Attorney General will initiate plans for the law’s repeal once Parliament resumes from recess.