Ring Leaders In Galamsey Must Be Dealt With

Off recent times,media houses in the country have drawn the attention of the nation's citizenry to the havoc and catastrophe posed to us by the nefarious and unacceptable activities of illegal miners in the country. Famous among the negative effects of the unregulated mining activities in Ghana are; the degradation of our lands and inefficient use of our mineral resources. Classical example is the pollution of the Pra and Shama river which serve as drinking water to the various communities in which they are situated.

This situation has not only caused the people of their drinking water but has destroyed all fishes and live in these water bodies rendering fishermen and the youths of these affected areas jobless. Also is the upsurge of prostitution and hard drug abuse as a sub-culture of the galamsey business. Records have it that most galamsey workers abuse hard drugs provided them by their Chinese and foreign bosses to stimulate them to work harder and in the cases of most ladies,they are used as sex slaves and forced into prostitution. It is no wonder that the highest growing incidence of HIV is recorded in the Western region, due to the influx of sex workers in mining areas.

Of what reason should the people of Ghana suffer this much, and what excuse do we have as a nation for our inability to fight this menace which is more than decades old.It is only evident that governments after governments have been unsuccessful in their battle against galamsey due to the activities of some influential citizens and public office holders who act as kingpin in the galamsey business and even own more illegal mining camps then their foreign accomplices.

Recently following the arrest of the 31 year old Chinese galamsey queen, Asia Huang, names of influential men and those who are supposed and paid with tax payers money to protect the integrity and resources of this country have rather been tagged and associated to the rampant rise of galamsey activities in the country. Among this men are, the Ashanti Regional NPP chairman Mr.Bernard Antwi Boasiako, former Ashanti Regional Police Commander Mr. Nathan Kofi Boakye and Former Ashanti Regional Minister Mr.Alexander Ackon who are alleged to have unflinching supported and provided security to these Chinese galamsey operators for their greedy and personal gains. If these people in power who are supposed to lead the fight against galamsey are vehemently involved in the business,then who exactly are we fighting against.

For a tree to be terminated permanently, it must be uprooted so must the case of galamsey,the government and our able security personnel must not only arrest foreign galamsey operators for them to released later on by their accomplices in high places and offices,but must also arrest and prepare for trail all corrupt leaders and officials who strongly safeguard and facilitate the activities of these foreigners.

In that manner,the battle against this nefarious act could be won but till then,the country and its citizenry must take to heart afforestation to protect our environment, ensure enough rainfall and prevent cases of desertification,since the activities of galamsey operators are eventually turning our country into another Sahara desert. On that note,

I say kudos to the Environmental Protection Agency for the planting of 1,000 seedings,these seedlings comprised of Acacia, Mango,Cedrelia,Ma hogany and Tick.

If galamsey must be stopped then it's bedrock must be destroyed totally.

Elliot Nuertey
0265260479
nuerteyelliot@yahoo.com
Radio Univers 105.7FM.

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