How a Catholic priest led a community to reject GH¢1 million bribe to permit galamsey

In the face of several attempts through force, coercion, and inducement, a community in Aowin Municipality of the Bono Region have vehemently resisted illegal mining activities.

The people of Jema, led by a mobilizer, Reverend Father Joseph Kwame Blay, a Catholic priest, have over the years resisted the powers and forces behind illegal mining to protect their environment from the invasive galamsey menace.

Armed with his skills as a researcher and his commitment to protect his community, Reverend Joseph Kwame Blay, in tandem with the chiefs and people of Jema, has held back against galamsey.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Rev. Blay shared how he has been able to win the community and their chiefs to support the fight against galamsey.

“It is the education. I came back in 2015 and again in 2019. I explained to them with my research in other communities where galamsey has devastated the area, and I showed them videos, news, and interviews I had with people to show that the thing is not good for the people,” he said.

Nana Enoko Annor, the chief of Jema, has been resolute against illegal mining despite being bedridden due to ill health.

The chief, in his firm stance, has rejected multiple offers, including a car, medical treatment in South Africa, as well as cash amounts running close to a million cedis.

“They brought me money which I have never seen before. The first amount was GH¢250,000. I refused, and they increased it to GH¢350,000, which I again rejected. They promised to add a vehicle, which they parked in front of my house. The next time they brought over GH¢700,000, but I told them I need to protect the land for the future of our children. They said they would send me to South Africa, but I still resisted,” the chief said.

The youth of Jema have also been instrumental in resisting galamsey despite the tempting economic opportunity that comes along with it.

As part of the resistance against drinking from the poisoned chalice of galamsey, the Jema community, unlike other communities, has clean water bodies to rely on and a protected environment against the impact of illegal mining.

GA/KA

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