Galamsey menace: Lessons unlearned

Before the 2024 general elections, Ghana stood at a crossroads in dealing with the menace of illegal mining, or galamsey. 

The situation had reached alarming levels, devastating waterbodies, destroying farmlands and endangering the health and livelihoods of countless communities.

Civil societies, environmental advocates and concerned citizens called for drastic measures, including a ban on illegal mining and the declaration of a state of emergency.

These appeals, urgent and impassioned, were born from the realisation that failure to act was environmental terrorism; as some called it.

However, these calls fell on deaf ears. The political climate, polarised and rife with partisan interests, reduced a national crisis to a battleground for party rhetoric. 

Bold

In a bold move to amplify the urgency of the situation, civil societies joined forces with labour unions to organise a nationwide strike.

Their demands were clear: immediate and decisive action to address galamsey. 

The strike, which had the potential to galvanise national attention and action, was abruptly called off at the last minute, leaving many to question the resolve of its organisers and the influence of political pressures.

Four months after the elections, Ghana still faces the bitter fruits of its leadership’s inaction.

Rivers that once provided drinking water and supported agriculture are now polluted and unusable. 

Farmlands lie barren, forcing many rural communities into deeper poverty.

The ecological damage is not just an environmental crisis; it’s an existential threat to the nation’s future.

Ironically, the very individuals and political actors who dismissed the calls for decisive action before the elections are now advocating for the same measures they ridiculed.

Calls for a state of emergency, once deemed unnecessary and excessive, are now resounding from those who previously dismissed them.

This sudden shift in rhetoric highlights a troubling pattern in Ghana’s leadership: reactive governance that prioritises damage control over proactive problem-solving.

The hypocrisy is glaring, and it raises critical questions about the nature of leadership in Ghana.

Why did it take a full-blown crisis for leaders to acknowledge the severity of the situation?

Why were the voices of demonstrators, activists and civil society organisations ignored, even as they faced brutal ordeals at the hands of law enforcement for daring to speak out?

These are not just questions of accountability but of governance and the very essence of public service.

The plight of demonstrators during the pre-election period cannot be overlooked.

Many of them endured harassment, intimidation and even physical harm, all because they dared to demand better from their leaders. 

Fight

The fight against galamsey is not just an environmental issue; it’s a test of Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development and good governance.

Effective leadership requires foresight, courage and the ability to make tough decisions for the greater good.

It demands a departure from the culture of reactionary politics and a move toward proactive, inclusive governance, and I plead with the President to expedite actions to restore our rivers.

We must learn from this crisis.

First, there must be a renewed commitment to protecting the environment and enforcing laws against illegal mining.

This includes empowering regulatory bodies, investing in sustainable alternatives for affected communities and ensuring that those who violate environmental laws face the full force of the law.

Second, the voices of civil society, labour unions and ordinary citizens must be given the respect they deserve.

These groups play a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and advocating for policies that reflect the will and welfare of the people.

Ignoring them weakens our democracy and dents on good governance.

Finally, the nation must demand better from its leaders.

Leadership is not about winning elections; it’s about serving the people and safeguarding their future.

We all must hold leaders accountable, not just at the ballot box, but through consistent civic engagement and advocacy.

The galamsey crisis and the ensuing calls for a state of emergency are a wake-up call for Ghana.

They reveal the cost of inaction, the dangers of politicising national issues and the urgent need for a new kind of leadership—one that prioritises the nation. President John Dramani Mahama, this is your call.

Writer’s E-mail: wisek41@gmail.com