The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has voiced its frustration over the waning public demand for an end to illegal mining practices.
Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, the convener of the coalition, lamented this decline in momentum, attributing part of the responsibility to Ghana’s middle class for not demonstrating sufficient commitment to the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Ashigbey criticized Parliament for failing to act in the interest of Ghanaians by not revoking Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves. He emphasized the need for collective action to address the ongoing environmental and social issues posed by illegal mining activities.
“There has been some loss of scheme in the fight against galamsey and I will also concede that as media, the momentum has been lost a bit. I remember Sir Sam Jonah castigating the media and saying he was not seeing the commitment but the challenge has been the fact the middle class has failed us.
“Be the media has lost a bit of steam, especially after the October 10 strike was called off and the government sent that few 100 men to go and fight this and after a day or two, nothing happened and we were hoping that on October 15, something was going to happen in Parliament but unfortunately, nothing happened.”
Ken Ashigbey further urged that all stakeholders against the wanton destructions must be regrouped to pressure the government to end illegal mining.
“We need to regroup and it is important we get the support of the middle class and academia and the conversation [against galamsey] must be intensified.”