Galamsey operations over the years have destroyed most of our agricultural lands, as well as polluted bodies in Ghana.
This will subsequently lead to water shortages in some parts of the country as projected by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
The galamsey menace is, therefore, one that has to be ruthlessly dealt with.
According to a Pan Africanist Aboagye Boampong, no government is fighting the illegal mining menace because some leaders are making gains from the practice.
He touts that the political ambitions are mainly funded by people who are engaged in galamsey, thus it will be impossible for the successive government to curb the menace.
“Both the NPP and NDC are not fighting any galamsey, no government is.
This matter has become a national talk for a long time, past and present governments are not dealing with it as they should.
The question, is who funds these people when they are in opposition? No financial institution will offer to give out a loan for election purposes.
These politicians solicit for funds from private businesses with the promise of giving back something.
Some DCEs, Regional Ministers, and MPs are into illegal mining. These people attained positions because they used galamsey monies to fund political parties. They also form part of the DISEC, which makes it ineffective to fight this menace,” Mr Boampong said.
Mr Boampong states that the practice of galamsey to destroy water bodies has never been the first option of young people in mining communities as it is against cultural practices.
For him, the involvement of politicians in illegal mining makes the menace a national issue, adding that the introduction of money as the basis for winning elections has drawn most people into illegal mining.
“Our cultural practices forbid us from engaging in some activities which will pollute water bodies in our communities. So it has never been the first option of young people in any community.
But with the introduction of money as the basis of winning elections, people will do anything to get money to have a stake in politics. It is when politicians got involved and made the matter a national concern,” He added.
