Medical Doctor and Research Immunologist, Dr. Justice Kofi Boakye-Appiah, delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s approach to tackling illegal mining otherwise known as galamsey.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s Newsfile monitored by MyNewsGH.com, Dr. Boakye-Appiah passionately expressed his frustrations over the lack of care for human life and the environment, which he believes is at the heart of the ongoing galamsey crisis.
“It comes down to one simple thing – in Ghana, we do not value lives. We think everything is just politics and about money. We do not think about the consequences of everything we do,” he declared, underlining how deeply entrenched the problem is.
“According to him, the rush for quick wealth has blinded many to the long-term damage caused by galamsey, not only to the environment but also to the health and future of Ghanaians.
Dr. Boakye-Appiah believes that the current approach, which prioritizes wealth over life, must change immediately. “If this will make me rich, I do not care about the consequences,” he said, emphasizing the troubling mindset that fuels illegal mining.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office in Ghana has urged calm and cooperation during anti-illegal mining protests, calling for peaceful demonstrations and professional law enforcement. It emphasized the need for collective efforts from all sectors to combat illegal mining, warning of its potential to increase poverty and environmental damage across West Africa.
“We call on all leaders in Ghana-in Government, in national institutions, in political parties, in traditional and religious institutions, in civil society, the private sector, and all citizens all opinion spectrums-to work together to address this challenge. Ghana must succeed,” Abani said.
Illegal mining was identified by the United Nations as a regional issue, with the whole West Africa sub-region faced with “a host of problems” regarding the practice, while illegal mining also threatened to wreak its usual havoc on Ghana.
