Galamsey baptism
Our nation is being ruthlessly baptised with the unholy waters of galamsey.
Some years back, the interesting slogan was: “When the last tree dies, the last man dies” Today, another important element of our environment, our rivers, is under siege.
Various governments have tried fighting illegal mining. During the immediate past NPP and the current (NDC) regime, for instance, the fight against galamsey has involved, among other measures, the deployment of soldiers to the various galamsey sites.
Operations have included Operation Vanguard, Galamstop NAIMOS etc.
Unfortunately, these calculated, well-intentioned operations have not yet yielded the desired result. If armed illegal miners (like armed robbers) can open fire on the security officers, who had come to confront them, then we certainly have a big problem on our hands.
An emergency cabinet meeting of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) was held to discuss and to determine the way forward regarding the arrest and execution of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The chairman (the high priest) made a very interesting statement: “And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” John 11:49-50.
Caiaphas did not mince words.
He spoke in plain language and straight to the point.
The vital message that the high priest was in effect trying to communicate to his audience was the fact that “dire situations require drastic measures”.
Civil society organisations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other concerned citizens have called for the declaration of a state of emergency.
If this is the bitter pill that will cure the dangerous disease, why don’t we go ahead and give it a try?
If a national debate were to be organised on the motion: “state of emergency: to declare or not to declare”, we would hear convincing and thought-provoking arguments on both sides (for/against).
Invariably, if illegal miners know that going on a galamsey mission to disturb our river bodies is a matter of life and death, they will certainly think twice before they finally decide to embark on the dangerous venture.
As far as the destiny of our nation is concerned, only God knows the direction in which we are headed in relation to the threats posed by galamsey.
Bonifacious K. Atiase,
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