Galamsey crisis worsens, but authorities remain silent – Ken Ashigbey

Founder of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey has voiced his exasperation at the slow response to the catastrophic effects of illegal mining (galamsey) on Ghana’s water resources. In a media interview, he expressed disappointment at the lack of urgency and support from key stakeholders, including government officials and political leaders, in addressing this critical issue.

He lambasted the government for its inaction on the water pollution crisis, despite repeated pleas from civil society groups, including his Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, to declare a state of emergency. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by citing stark statistics; “At the Amanfrom Water Treatment Plant, turbidity levels reached a staggering 14,000 NTUs in August, far exceeding the acceptable limit of 1 NTU after treatment. This is a full-blown crisis!”

Dr. Ashigbey urged a unified approach to tackling the water pollution crisis, bringing together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including labour unions, religious leaders, and civil society organizations. He emphasized the need for collective action to push the government into taking concrete and decisive measures.

The coalition’s approach, he explained, is to rally public support and apply sustained pressure on the government to drive meaningful change. He held out hope that President Nana Akufo-Addo would respond to their urgent appeal and declare a state of emergency before the coalition launches its planned actions on Wednesday, averting the need for further pressure.