Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the founder of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has expressed frustration over the lack of urgency in addressing the devastating impact of illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” on Ghana’s water bodies. During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, September 9, he lamented the absence of adequate crisis support from critical stakeholders, including government officials and political leaders.
“We’re currently in a crisis, and the crisis response we need, we’re not getting it,” Dr Ken Ashigbey stated emphatically. Neither from the President, the leading opposition party, nor the NPP’s presidential candidate. Even when the Speaker of Parliament spoke, there was no recognition of the crisis. Instead, it was just a lamentation like the rest of us.”
Dr Ken Ashigbey criticised the lack of concrete action despite numerous calls from civil society organisations, including his coalition, for a declaration of a state of emergency over the country’s water bodies. He highlighted alarming figures to illustrate the severity of the situation: “In August, the turbidity at the Amanfrom Water Treatment Plant was 14,000 NTUs when it should be treated down to 1 NTU. This is a crisis! He called for a collective effort to bring all stakeholders, including labour unions, religious leaders, and civil society organisations, together to press the government into taking decisive action.
“We need the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of Ghana’s military, to declare a state of emergency over the water bodies and surrounding buffers where illegal mining is rampant,” Dr Ken Ashigbey urged.
According to him, the coalition’s strategy is to mobilize public support and exert pressure on the government. If we call on the President and see no action, the power of the people will be mobilized to exact the necessary pressure, as our Constitution allows,” he warned. He expressed hope that President Nana Akufo-Addo would heed their call and declare a state of emergency before the coalition’s planned actions on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued an ultimatum to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September 2024 if a total ban on illegal mining aka “galamsey,” is not imposed. In a strongly worded statement, UTAG criticised state-led efforts to combat illegal mining, or “galamsey,” describing them as “failed and corruption-infested militarized battles.”
The Association lamented the severe damage caused by illegal mining activities, including the destruction of over 2.5 million hectares of forest cover, a 35% rise in respiratory diseases in mining areas, and a projected cost of $2.3 billion annually to the economy. If the current trajectory continues, Ghana may be forced to import potable water within six years,” UTAG warned, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
By: Abubakar Ibrahim
