Join Red Friday campaign

The media campaign against galamsey assumes a different dimension today, with the decision of the media coalition and its partners to paint the country red as a sign of their displeasure with the level of degradation of the environment by galamsey operators.

The campaign is dubbed: National Red Friday and the intention is to draw out as many people as possible onto the ‘stop galamsey platform’ and demonstrate to the whole world that “enough is enough”.

Since the 1990s, mining has been taken to a different level with the decision of the government to give concession to small-scale mining operators to prospect for minerals.

The people had argued that mining had been left in the hands of foreigners, who were exploiting the resources to the people’s detriment. According to them, while they wallowed in poverty and want, they were witnesses to foreign business concerns making money from their heritage.

Even before that argument had been put up, some Ghanaians, in collaboration with some West African nationals, were engaged in illegal mining in some parts of the country. Those illegal miners degraded the environment.

Then, along the line, some influential people saw some opportunities in illegal mining and introduced heavy equipment into the operations. Then entered the excavators and other sophisticated equipment that were mounted on rivers to engage in some crude form of mining, thereby turning the crystal clear rivers into polluted water sources.

Like a joke, the authorities, although empowered by law, such as the Minerals Commission, looked on helplessly as illegal miners desecrated the forest and water resources.

Anytime an attempt was made to clamp down on these operators, some of our compatriots raised the alarm that those ordinary operators might be deprived of their livelihood.

As a result, mining activities were carried out throughout the country in an irresponsible manner. Some of our people who could mobilise some money joined the bandwagon, exploiting our resources irresponsibly and putting the future of our country at risk.

The danger loomed as farmlands were destroyed, water bodies polluted and the health of the people put at risk, but it was as if we had lost focus and were not bothered to deal with the danger.

The people involved in this illegal activity became a very strong force, bringing in foreigners, mostly Chinese, to further desecrate the environment.

It must be made clear that Ghanaians are not against mining. What is being advocated is for all involved in mining, including the big companies, to carry out their business in a very responsible manner.

Responsible mining is all that everybody is advocating now, so that we can safeguard our farmlands and protect our water bodies.

The Daily Graphic thinks that unless that is done, the future of agriculture is in danger, water will be scarce and the health of people in those communities will be at risk because of the use of dangerous chemicals in mining activities.

The National Red Friday, and for that matter # STOP THE GALAMSEY, is just a platform for Ghanaians to raise their voices against the negative activities of illegal miners and get the government to put in place measures to restore order in the mining industry.

The Daily Graphic adds its voice to the National Red Friday crusade and urges the coalition to name and shame those involved in illegal mining and get the state to prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others.

We urge all to sport red attires and join the crusade today.