The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has issued a scathing rebuke to the government, accusing it of losing the will to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He warned that the consequences of this inaction are not just environmental, but moral, generational, and existential.
Speaking at a press conference held at the International Press Centre in Accra, Dr. Ashigbey, who also serves as the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, expressed alarm over what he described as the government’s “weakening resolve” to tackle the galamsey menace.
“The government must intensify its effort in combating galamsey and refrain from justifying it on the grounds of unemployment and revenue generation,” he said firmly.
“There is absolutely no reason why we are failing at this.”
According to him, the damage caused by illegal mining has moved beyond poisoned rivers and scarred landscapes. It now threatens citizen confidence, national security, and the country’s leadership credibility.
“It is not just about galamsey,” he stressed. “It is about the citizens’ trust in the government. It is about our survival. It is about leadership and the security of our nation.”
Dr. Ashigbey did not hold back as he questioned the government’s commitment to protecting its people from the long-term effects of galamsey. He described the state’s inaction as a betrayal of its constitutional promise.
“It is about whether the government will honour its word or continue to betray the very citizens it swore to protect,” he said, highlighting the emotional weight behind the national disappointment.
He went further to warn that if immediate action is not taken, future generations will bear the burden of today’s failures.
“If we do not act now, the devastation will not only affect us today but will haunt our children and their children’s children,” he warned.
