Galamsay Menace Cannot Be Eradicated Due to Political Involvement – Governance Lecturer

The galamsey menace in Ghana has become a perennial issue that continues to raise concerns among the populace. Despite several measures put in place to curtail the activities of illegal miners, the problem seems to be getting worse by the day. According to Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a Governance Lecturer at the Central University, both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are to blame for the persistent issue.

In an interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah accused both political parties of being actively involved in galamsey activities that are destroying the environment and water bodies in the country. He also alleged that Chiefs are not left out in the menace.

“The political parties are actively involved in galamsey activities, and Chiefs are not left out. It’s a shame,” he said.

Dr. Otchere-Ankrah cited an incident he personally witnessed, where an NDC member involved in galamsey received a tipoff from an NPP member to warn him ahead of an operation to seize excavators in the community where he was undertaking his galamsey activities. He added that political influence is a major factor preventing the eradication of the menace.

“We are legalizing an illegality…It’s a shame! If this country will collapse, it is because of the NPP and NDC…We don’t have the will to fight galamsey. I pity the President,” Dr. Otchere-Ankrah lamented.

In a nutshell, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah’s comments raise serious concerns about the involvement of political parties and Chiefs in galamsey activities. It is disheartening to see that instead of working together to solve the issue, political influence is making the situation worse. If Ghana is to win the fight against galamsey, it is imperative that all stakeholders put their political affiliations aside and work towards the common goal of saving our environment and water bodies.