Director General of One World Nexus, Youth empowerment advocate, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Samuel Aryeequaye has said that the government is not ready to fight Galamsey because leaders and some business owners accumulate huge income from the country’s problems.
Research has it that, the number of registered small scale mining companies in the country has increased exponentially since the current government took over power. This according to Samuel Aryeequaye shows the leadership’s unwillingness to stop what is described by many as an environmental enemy.
Speaking on Original television yesterday, he elaborated that the president of the republic who is the commander-in chief of the Armed Forces through the utmost power vested in him can overcome the said nationwide challenge but he is ‘dragging his feet’. This makes it clear that he is not committed to help end this kanker.
Galamsey — arguably the most talked about societal problem at the moment is causing lots of mess in Ghana, West Africa. The media, health professionals, the clergy, traditional leaders and many other influential groups of people have highlighted the deadly consequences of the said activity. Individuals and groups due to their insatiable desire for wealth are still cutting down trees from the country’s rich forests, polluting water bodies and also using harmful chemicals in their mining activities.
Several reports from the Ghana Water Company have proven that the country is on the verge of importing water from other countries because the activities of these ‘Galamseyers’ have directly caused the country a huge mess. There are lots of reports from the health sector which makes it even scary for the country.
He has said that the over politicization of this problem is a huge factor hindering the fight and that he suggests traditional leaders in the country needs to be empowered and tasked with the responsibility of helping champion this course. It is really sad to see not one or two but many videos of politicians promising their followers to vote for them and allow the continuation to the problem.
He believes it will take a collective effort with the national house of chiefs taking the lead to overcome this nationwide challenge. The law states it clearly that all natural resources in or on the land belongs to the government, it also points out the huge influence chiefs have on these lands — this is why chiefs needs to be consulted before getting access to lands.
