By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining has slammed the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo-Bawumia-led government for paying lip service to the fight against Illegal Mining popularly known as Galamsey.
According to the group, the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the fight against galamsey has resulted in the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands across the country
The Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining has, therefore, called on the government to act swiftly to address the ongoing illegal mining crisis, which has dire consequences on the country’s environmental landscape.
Addressing the media at a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, re-echoed the urgent need for action to eradicate the galamsey menace.
He expressed deep concern over the involvement of some chiefs and top political figures in these illegal activities, highlighting the corruption that exacerbates the problem.
“The lack of political will has further exacerbated the problem allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked.
We wish to state that Ghanaians can no longer tolerate the lip service of the government of whatever colour in the fight against galamsey and we call for action not tomorrow but now and right from this press conference and all hands must get on board,” he stated.
Leadership from the various media groups, such as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), and other environmental activists took turns to address journalists.
