The deception must stop, Mr. President – Movement for Change member demands tougher galamsey fight
A leading voice from the Movement for Change, Ebo Buckman, has written an open letter to President John Dramani Mahama, describing the ongoing destruction of Ghana’s environment through illegal mining activities as “environmental terrorism,” and calling for even stronger measures to confront the menace.
In a passionate and powerfully worded letter, Buckman warned that Ghana is facing an existential threat, one that cannot be downplayed or hidden behind the now “deceptive” term galamsey.
“Mr. President, these environmental terrorists are poisoning our rivers, turning our forests into lunar wastelands, and wiping out the food chain with reckless abandon,” Buckman wrote.
“And we continue to call them galamseyers, as if they are harmless hustlers. The deception must stop. Words matter. Let’s name the menace for what it truly is.”
He commended President Mahama for his renewed efforts in fighting illegal mining since returning to office, describing the deployment of task forces, arrests, and equipment seizures as “positive signs.”
According to him, these steps, coupled with the president’s economic stabilization efforts and his leadership in anti-corruption and governance, represent significant progress.
“Your government has taken commendable steps in the fight against illegal mining,” he stated. “The deployment of task forces, the burning of illegal mining communities and equipment, and the arrests are all positive signs.”
He added, “We applaud the stabilization of the economy, the renewed energy in tackling corruption, and your continued efforts at good governance. In these areas, Mr. President, your leadership has clearly surpassed that of your predecessor’s.”
Despite these gains, Buckman stressed that much more is needed. Drawing from the famous literary plea, he added: “Like Oliver Twist, however, we ask for more. The current scale of destruction threatens not just our development, but our very existence.”
