Galamsey on Water Bodies: A silent murder that demands justice

In what can only be described as a national crisis, the illegal mining menace, locally known as galamsey, has spiraled out of control, with devastating consequences for Ghana's water bodies. The situation is so dire that alum, once effective in treating water from the Pra River, is now failing to purify the heavily contaminated water, leaving millions of Ghanaians at risk. Galamsey on our water bodies is not just environmental degradation; it is equivalent to murder—murder of our people, our environment, and our future.

The gravity of this situation has not gone unnoticed, prompting an emergency parliamentary sitting currently underway at the Accra International Conference Centre. The discussions, however, have been marred by accusations and counter-accusations, with both sides of the political divide blaming each other for the failure to address the galamsey menace effectively. A particularly contentious moment arose when one side retorted, "You polluted the water more than us!"—a stark reflection of the deep-seated frustrations and the blame game that has come to characterize the fight against illegal mining.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, took the opportunity to voice the concerns of many Ghanaians, stating unequivocally, "Some MPs are involved in Galamsey." He went further to challenge the integrity of the legislative body, urging the Speaker of Parliament to submit names of the members involved for investigation. The allegation that certain members of the ruling party are implicated in this illegal activity has only fueled public outrage, with many now questioning the commitment of political leaders to genuinely tackle the issue.

Indeed, the involvement of politicians in galamsey has become an open secret. Four groups, reportedly sponsored by members of the ruling party, have decimated large portions of the Tano-Anwia forest reserve. Forest guards, who are meant to protect these reserves, find themselves helpless against the powerful and influential individuals driving this illegal activity. "Who are you to stop someone with so much influence from the seat of government?" is the chilling reality they face.

The fight against galamsey has, by all measures, failed. Politicians, chiefs, security agencies, and other stakeholders who should be at the forefront of this battle are instead deeply involved in the very crime they are supposed to prevent. The Minister for Environment, Water, and Sanitation has remained conspicuously silent as our rivers turn brown, and our forests disappear. In any civilized country, such negligence would have warranted an immediate summoning of the responsible minister to answer for their inaction. But in Ghana, political leaders have turned a blind eye to the galamsey menace and its catastrophic consequences.

The destruction caused by galamsey is not just environmental—it is a threat to the very survival of the Ghanaian people. Our water sources, once pristine and life-giving, have been poisoned beyond recognition. Our forests, vital for maintaining ecological balance, have been stripped bare. The time for talking is over. Ghanaians demand action—decisive, uncompromising action to root out the perpetrators of this crime, no matter how powerful or influential they may be.

The fight against galamsey is not just about saving our environment; it is about saving lives. And the time to act is now.