Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin
We recognize the trail being blazed by the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin in the ongoing crusade against the destruction of our water bodies and forests.
We cannot but recommend his commitment to other traditional authorities for emulation because in that lies the road to victory in the subtle war.
The traditional ruler’s role will definitely incentivize the security agents currently undertaking the mission to halt galamsey.
The organizational prowess of our traditional authorities cannot be overemphasized in such matters. It is for this reason that we find the Okyenhene’s action as promising.
His setting up of an Environmental Task Force which will work with relevant bodies such as the Police and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is a step in the right direction.
Coming on the heels of the influx of Burkinabes and other ECOWAS citizens all heading for the gold pits we deem his response as auspicious and one which would lead us to the environmental nirvana we envisage.
The visuals which have originated from the degraded gold-bearing forests will trigger tears from cherishers of our natural heritage.
And to think that the irresponsible act is being facilitated by foreigners is even more heartbreaking.
We urge personnel of the GIS in gold-bearing areas and where illegal mining is rife to be responsible in the performance of their duties by supporting the crusade with all their hearts. With the reported influx of foreigners to these areas especially the Eastern Region, this task could not be more relevant.
The crusade against illegal mining is subtly on a war footing and this must be sustained. This is the only way the illegal industry can be stemmed.
They must be ashamed who subtly gave backing to the illegal miners for partisan benefits. Where are they now as we find ourselves on the precipice of an environmental Armageddon?
Felling trees which have taken a century or even more to reach their current state in a matter of minutes for the sake of extracting gold crudely should be condemned and fought with all our might.
The municipal assemblies in gold-bearing regions, we repeat, must support the locals to create galamsey watchdog groups to provide information about the illegality to the security agencies.
The support of chiefs in these areas should be courted as a matter of urgency as there is no time to waste.
We are pleased that the extent of damage to the environment is beginning to register in the minds of some Ghanaians thanks to the media. That nonetheless the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) should be provided with the necessary logistics to mount education in galamsey prone areas about the dangers of the illegality.
School children across the country should be taught about the dangers of degrading the environment especially forests and water bodies.