President Nana Akufo-Addo
The President and for that matter the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces with the authority to declare war has spoken about his resolve to stamp out the reckless and unsustainable degradation of our water bodies and forests. For those who did not know that he has declared war on those who could not care a hoot about the state of our water bodies, now he has stated that there is no turning back about his decision. Indeed there has never been such visible and sincere commitment by a head of state in this country to combat the oddity dubbed galamsey.
There is no doubt that had this war against this mad degradation not started now it would not have been long before we discover the irreversible damage we have done to our land and water bodies.
Fortunately though President Akufo-Addo is, at it were, leading the charge with the Lands and Forestry Minister directing operations on the fields. The lip-service which previous governments paid to the anti-galamsey crusade has given way to seriousness.
We would not fold our arms as our natural resources are destroyed for the selfish ends of a few individuals and their foreign business partners.
We find it laughable that some of those engaged in the inappropriate activities would resort to threats so they would be allowed to remain in the business even to the detriment of our common national interests.
It is time governments consider the interests of the state and her people above partisan politics. The threats about not voting for the NPP because the President who swore to protect the interests of the country and its people is making good his oath is a pointer to how such persons do not love their country.
A leader strives to leave a lasting legacy and we are pleased to observe that President Akufo-Addo is ready to do that regardless of the selfish desires of the galamsey activists.
We have noted the efforts of some of them especially in the Ashanti Region to resort to an intervention from the Asantehene. The Ashanti King understands more than them the implication of their activities. As a King, he has a duty to protect the land bequeathed him by his forebears and would certainly not listen to their useless demands.
One day when the waters return to their former pristine states, we would remember the efforts that went into the venture.
It has not been easy, we know. From the days of lip-service to the crusade to the seriousness which is being applied from all angles, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. The difference is too glaring to be ignored.
Sustainability is very important in such campaigns. We are therefore asking that our security forces be involved in securing those areas which have been liberated from the claws of the galamsey operators. The war against galamsey is a campaign against enemies of the state.