Broadcast Journalist with Accra-based Angel Fm, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has given out names and contact details of citizens in the local communities involved in illegal mining known in the local parlance as galamsey.
The topic of galamsey and the deteriorating state of most water bodies has risen again for discussion following the press statement released by the Ghana Water Company Limited over the enormity of illegal mining activities affecting water supply to some cities in the country.
According to the statement released by Ghana Water Company Limited, the illegal mining on the River Pra has caused challenges in the water supply to Cape Coast, Elmina and its surroundings.
The statement further said that Ghana Water has been unable to receive raw water at the Sekyere Hemang water Treatment plant as a result of the illegal galamsey activities at the River Pra.
Following the brouhaha on the galamsey activities, media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah during his show gave out the names and contact details of some citizens involved in galamsey in the local communities.
He called one, Kwabena Agyepong (not former NPP General Secretary) on phone live on his show and questioned him on why he was destroying lands and water bodies through galamsey at Bomfa Achaise. Shortly, after admitting he was in that town, the man hanged up the line.
The presenter further called one, David and questioned him as well as to why he was engaging in galamsey at Anumso. He denied destroying any water body through galamsey and also hanged up the line.
Okatakyie claims that the nation’s ecosystem, particularly its rivers and forests, has been severely damaged by these illegal miners, who are often protected by strong political and commercial interests.
The activist emphasized the gravity of the situation, stressing that many residents’ livelihoods especially those of farmers and towns that depend on clean water sources are in jeopardy in addition to the nation’s natural resources.
“Ghanaians should pick the contact details of these galamseyers and call them. Question them on why they are destroying the lands and water bodies in this country with illegal mining,” he challenged.
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