Several prominent Ghanaian personalities have joined the calls for a halt to galamsey activities and the prosecution of those involved.
The calls come in response to a statement from the Ghana Water Limited, which raised concerns about how illegal mining activities have polluted the Pra River.
According to the statement, the recent water supply challenges in Cape Coast, Elmina and surrounding communities are as a result of activities of galamsey.
The company explained that the supply gap is due to inadequate raw water received at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant, a result of galamsey activities.
Ghanaians have since been mounting pressure on the government over its failure to address and mitigate the effects of galamsey on the water bodies.
Here are some of the personalities who have joined the calls for the #StopGalamseyNow campaign
1. Franklin Cudjoe
The Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education criticised the government for neglecting rivers affected by galamsey. He called for immediate action to mitigate the harm caused by the polluted waters.
In a series of posts on X, he said “This is pure evil. Sad. After 8 years in power, this is the state of Ghanaian rivers due to abject neglect by the state. The president promised to put his presidency on the line if he failed to deal with illegal mining. This should not wait to be dealt with after elections. Death and decay do not wait for politicians to feel comfortable in office. Act now!
“The president promised to put his presidency on the line if he failed to deal with illegal mining. His number 2 plans to deal with it if he becomes president. This shouldn’t wait to be dealt with after elections. Death &decay does not wait for politicians to take office. Act now!,” he posted.
2. Berla Mundi
The media personality, who has been vocal about galamsey-related issues, has described the current situation as worrying.
During a visit to the polluted river, Berla Mundi posted a video on X showing dredging machines used by the illegal miners lined up along the banks of the Pra River.
3. Wode Maya
According to the Ghanaian YouTuber, Ghanaians should demand accountability from those orchestrating and driving galamsey activities.
“The huge elephant in the room that everyone is refusing to address is who are the people behind galamsey??#StopGalamseyNow,” he posted on X.
4. Joyce Bawah Mogtari
The Spokesperson for John Dramani Mahama has called for immediate action to halt galamsey activities.
“This is a tragedy of humongous proportions, look at the photos depicting the current state of our rivers, how we have all looked on helplessly as our waters have become literally full of clay and chemicals due to the activities of unscrupulous mining companies ably supported by the same politicians who promised to do better.
“After 8 years of the talk by Akufo Addo and Bawumia, and the empty promise to put his presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey or in the loose talk by #Bawuliar likening the job of VP to a football game and yet we all know that managers of the game of football are doing a yeoman’s job not just bragging about nothing.
“Ghana Water Company now left helpless and Ghanaians will now suffer even more from diseases and total lack of potable water. So where is the Professor Frimpong Boateng report! We must do something and do it now!,” she posted on X.
5. Joe Jackson
According to the business consultant, galamsey has captured the country.
Joining the campaign, he posted on X saying “State capture refers to the domination of policy-making by private, often corporate, power. It is a systematic type of corruption that can transform the state or parts of it by shaping rules to benefit vested interests. Galamsey has captured Ghana – #StopGalamseyNow.”
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
