Peter Amewu: an ‘orphan soldier’ in a dreaded galamsey war-front
Who is John Peter Amewu? John Amewu is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources under the Akufo-Addo led government. He is bold and determined. He has dominated many news headlines and continues to enjoy the luxury of news headlines, especially in the Ghanaian media. His dominance in the news headlines is for one reason—his war against ‘Galamsey’ (illegal mining).
Peter Amewu has started a fight that may require him the strength of Biblical Sampson to accomplish. He wants to fight to end Galamsey (illegal mining) in Ghana. Congratulations, Mr Amewu! More grease to your elbow, but the fight won’t be easy for ‘you’!
Peter Amewu can be described as someone “doing what Napoleon could not do”. Doing what napoleon could not do, simply put, is doing something that many people had failed to achieve or accomplish.
The effort, determination and character of Peter Amewu, could best be compared to the unnamed character in Ayi Kwei Armah’s novel, “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born”.
For the purpose of clarity, let me tell you a gist about the unnamed character in the ‘Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born’. The author referred to the principal character in the novel as “The Man”.
“The Man” was a poor person who tried to live an upright life in the midst of corrupt people, society and nation. In “The Man’s” attempt to resist corruption, which was seen as a normal practice in his society, “The Man” was scorned by his family, including his wife and mother-in-law, colleagues at work, society in general and people he encounted on daily basis.
“The Man” resisted corruption in all forms, but in the ending part of the novel, “The Man” aided his corrupt politician friend, Koomson, who through corruption, made life comfortable for himself and his family as minister of state to escape arrest after power changed hands through military Coup d'état.
It is a clear scenario from the above background that Peter Amewu is indeed “doing what Napoleon could not do”. Fighting Galamsey in Ghana is comparable to fighting terrorism in the world. But Peter Amewu says he will end it. ‘Ayekoo’!
Since Ghana gained independence, several successive governments, including military regimes that we have had in the country have put in place measures to curb the menace of illegal mining but to no avail. It appears the galamsey menace has developed resistance to our laws.
To further strengthen the base of this social evil (galamsey), some foreign nationals, particularly the Chinese have also joined the illegality with heavy duty machines and better equipment to aid their practice. Other foreigners such as the Russians and Ukrainians are also reported to have joined the illegal mining business.
Peter Amewu’s war on galamsey has been welcomed by many people and institution, particularly, the Ghanaian media. This is due to the fact that the impacts of galamsey affect everyone in the society in diverse ways. Water bodies, forests, water treatment facilities, power generation installations, cash crops, education, health, and arable lands are all under the attack of galamsey activities.
However, in spite of the fact that the campaign against galamsey has received massive support from both local and international bodies, the Ghanaian public is of divided view as to whether Peter Amewu would be able to end the canker in the country or not. While some members of the public believe that Peter Amewu’s action is just a “nine-day-wonder”, others believe that Mr Amewu is on the right path to success.
But whether Peter Amewu will be successful in his war against galamsey or not, will depend on the support the various key stakeholders will give him. It is true that Peter Amewu has become the face of the war against galamsey, without the support of you and I, he won’t be successful in his war.
Peter Amewu needs the support of civil society, politicians, the media, religious organisations, traditional authorities, security agencies, judiciary, and above all—the citizens of Ghana, upon whom the sovereignty of nation rests.
If we all support the war against galamsey, Peter Amewu may not become an ‘orphan soldier’ on a deadly Galamsey warfront, but instead, an army of soldiers who are determined to win a war against the common enemy of our dear country—Ghana.
Writer’s email: zadokgyesi@gmail.com