Let’s all join the fight against illegal miners

We have said time and again that our actions and inaction will destroy the country. What we are doing to our water bodies and vegetation is, to say the least, objectionable and it is about time we all stepped back and recognised that business as usual would not stop the looming tragedy.

Already, the effects of water pollution are reflected in the perennial water crises and the increasing cost of operation of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

Yesterday was World Water Day and the occasion was used by the speakers at the event to commemorate the day to drum home the danger involved in uncontrolled human activity on our water bodies and vegetation.

Every day, farmers, chain saw operators, timber companies, illegal miners, road contractors and mining companies destroy portions of our vegetation, thereby reducing the forest cover and increasing our exposure to climate change.

These days, the rainfall pattern has become unpredictable, and when it rains, sometimes the thunder and lightning accompanying the rainfall are unbearable, causing havoc to lives and property.

Unfortunately, we all refuse to see the danger of desertification all around us, even in previously thick forest zones.

Suddenly, food security has become a problem because the farmlands do not give us the required yields to feed ourselves and our families.

The fact that galamsey is threatening our very survival is no news only that we have remained silent about it. But the consequence of this loud silence is the danger that stares us in the face.

Today, one-time vibrant rivers such as the Pra, Birim, Densu and Tano are pale shadows of themselves.

The clean and clear water that flowed through the basins of these rivers many years ago has now turned brownish, having been polluted by the soil from galamsey activities and chemicals, making the water unsafe for drinking.

The Daily Graphic wonders why public officials who are paid by the taxpayer to watch over our rivers have gone to sleep, while the illegal operators have a field day.

The Vice-President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged the government’s determination to deal with the situation once and for all this time around.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu, has also thrown his weight behind the initiative to stop the illegal miners.

While we should be happy with the determination of the government to deal with the situation, we are rather sceptical because we heard similar pledges in the past.

However, we urge Ghanaians not to be cynical yet but keep the government on its toes to deliver on its pledge.

The Graphic Communications Group Limited yesterday announced plans to launch a crusade, with the support of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Associations (GIBA) and other media outlets, to stop the activities of galamsey operators.

In the fight against galamsey, there are no options available to Ghanaians — we either team up to stop the activities of the illegal miners or perish.

Now is the time to stand up to be counted and anybody who will stand aloof will be swept away by the “tsunami” that the crusade will carry along throughout the country.