Albert Kwabena Dwomfour
PRESIDENT of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwomfour, has expressed disappointment over the spate of illegal gold mining, otherwise known as galamsey in the country.
Mr. Albert Dwomfour expressed his disappointment in a remark at a two-day workshop in Kumasi on mining related issues organised jointly by the GJA and the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
He said galamsey is a national security threat indicating that the use of harmful chemicals in water bodies are causing cardiovascular diseases but successive governments lack the political will to hold the bull by the horn in addressing it and called on the media to help in fighting the menace.
“Help the nation find solutions to the problem; the media should contribute to ending the menace. A well equipped journalist is a powerful force to hold the powers that be to account,” he said.
“You need critical knowledge to report on mining issues hence the decision by the GJA to collaborate with the Ghana Chamber of Mines to organise this workshop to educate you on regulations, laws and policies that affect illegal mining in the country. The country needs stories that do not only inform but attack the impunity going on with the galamsey issue,” he said.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the mining industry plays a crucial role in supporting the government to develop the country. As a result, media practitioners are encouraged to highlight the industry’s contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“You must hold the government accountable to gold receipts that are supposed to be used to develop the country. We want stories that generate accountability.
This year alone Ghana produced 5-5m ounces of gold and is expected to exceed that. The Goldbod is good but by buying from the small scale miners it is encouraging them to continue to do the illegal gold mining activities,” he said.
Journalists who want to hold government accountable must understand the technicalities of the industry, so they can report accurately by holding industry players accountable and tell stories of mining communities that are often the victims,” he said.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Kumasi