Governance and Leadership Expert, Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi has criticized the government’s approach to the illegal mining (galamsey) crisis, calling for a more aggressive stance to curb its devastating effects on Ghana’s environment.
Speaking on Prime News on ABC News GH, he expressed disappointment in President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, arguing that it lacked a detailed strategy to tackle the galamsey menace.
“Galamsey is a big problem, and we shouldn’t play politics with it,” he stated, adding that illegal mining has severely damaged water bodies and forest reserves.
“If nine forest reserves are being captured by galamseyers and nobody can do anything, then we have a problem,” he said.
He also pointed out the deep-rooted political connections to illegal mining, stating, “Some of these politicians are behind it.”
Prof. Antwi proposed that the government declare a state of emergency on forest lands and enforce strict measures to reclaim destroyed lands.
“We are playing with our lives,” he warned, urging the government to show stronger leadership on the matter.
He stressed that without a serious crackdown, the country’s natural resources would continue to suffer, affecting agriculture, water supply, and future generations.
