Speaking out against the practice on his X handle on September 28, 2024, the ‘Rap Doctor’ stated that all stakeholders should be held accountable.
He accused government officials, including past presidents of being responsible for the environmental degradation caused by galamsey and called for an end to the ‘national disgrace.’
“Every president of Ghana for the past 35 years is guilty of this environmental crime. Every chief or landowner who allows this crime is guilty. Every minister of health and environmentalist who keeps quiet is guilty. Every activist like me who keeps quiet is guilty. It’s time to stop this national disgrace,” Okyeame Kwame declared.
His statement comes amid calls for an urgent response by the government to the issue of galamsey, which has ravaged water bodies and farmlands across the country.
What is ‘galamsey’
Illegal mining, known locally as ‘galamsey,’ is causing significant deforestation in Ghana, with seven of the country’s 16 regions and 34 forest reserves affected, totalling an area of 4,726 hectares.
The Ghana Forestry Commission has said it is intensifying efforts to combat this issue, including military operations and seeking additional funding.
However, despite revised laws and protective measures, challenges like weak law enforcement, corruption, and unemployment contribute to ongoing deforestation.
Other factors like agricultural expansion, illegal logging, forest fires, overgrazing, and infrastructure development also play a role in the loss of Ghana’s biodiverse tropical forests.
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