Law Lecturer, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua has expressed worry over the fight against illegal mining, which is destroying the environment.
According to him, it is shameful that the two major political parties in the country are sitting on the fence on the matter while the people of Ghana suffer the brunt of galamsey.
He explains that the politicians have sold their conscience to the big beneficiaries of illegal mining, just because they finance their campaigns.
“Unfortunately, though unsurprisingly, the two main political parties are found sitting on the fence and not ready to take this relevant, radical step to curb the menace because of the short-term, inward-looking benefits that accrue to the politicians, their political parties and cronies,” he stated in a post shared via social media.
Adding that “What is pitiable though is that they happen not to be the major beneficiaries but rather the campaign financiers, the smugglers of the gold and the manufacturers of the “changfan” machines. Thus, for a crumb of bread, the politicians have sold their conscience, and mortgaged the State, to criminal gangs and are ready to destroy the environment, violate or overlook the violation of human rights and betray the citizenry and the State”.
To him, although efforts are being made by civil society organizations in the country and other well-meaning Ghanaians, it is sickening that the politicians who are leading the country are rather united against calls for a state of emergency, which will help halt illegal mining activities in the country.
Read His Full Statement Below
Declaration of a state of emergency on galamsey
On July 24, 2024, students of the International Human Rights Law class of the University of Ghana, in a press conference organised at the auditorium of the School of Law, University of Ghana, indicated that the galamsey menace constitutes an existential threat to the survival of Ghana. Among the recommendations they made to bring the canker under control was to support the declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-afflicted communities.
It is heart-warming to note that that call continues to ring loud and clear, including coming from organised labour, UTAG, TUC, the clergy, the medical profession, civil society organisations, among others.
Political parties united against state of emergency
Unfortunately, though unsurprisingly, the two main political parties are found sitting on the fence and not ready to take this relevant, radical step to curb the menace because of the short-term, inward-looking benefits that accrue to the politicians, their political parties and cronies. What is pitiable though is that they happen not to be the major beneficiaries but rather the campaign financiers, the smugglers of the gold and the manufacturers of the “changfan” machines. Thus, for a crumb of bread, the politicians have sold their conscience, and mortgaged the State, to criminal gangs and are ready to destroy the environment, violate or overlook the violation of human rights and betray the citizenry and the State.
