According to Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare, a legal expert and political analyst, the issue of galamsey is not merely a failure of law enforcement, but a failure of moral leadership.
He argued that the priorities of Ghanaians have become skewed, and their values are misaligned.
Prof. Asare noted that Ghanaians tend to prioritize political correctness over tackling the root causes of the injustices affecting the nation.
He further stated that people are more focused on criticizing those who demand change rather than addressing the harmful actions of those whose greed endangers their very survival.
“While some are busy critiquing the manner of protest, a crisis looms over us, threatening not only our land but our survival itself. Our rivers, the lifeblood of our communities, are being poisoned. Our lands are being ravaged, and the very ecosystems that sustain us are being wiped out.
“Yet, where is the outrage? Where are the urgent discussions about why those in authority seem powerless, or perhaps even unwilling, to act against this clear and present danger? Why is it that when ordinary citizens rise to demand justice for the environment, we scrutinize whether they obey traffic lights, but remain silent on why our leaders cannot stop the pollution of our waters?”
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare emphasized that while rules and order are essential for a functioning society, focusing on the form of protest rather than the underlying reasons behind it is a misstep.
He questioned how the country could pursue environmental justice if Ghanaians are more preoccupied with the technicalities of protests than with the issues that drove people to demonstrate in the first place.
He pointed out that authorities often try to paint protestors as disruptive, claiming they blocked access to healthcare, taunted the police, and are essentially demonized.
Prof. Asare argued that this narrative is a psychological tactic, devised by political leaders and propagated through their channels.
“It is designed to shift the focus from the real issues, to cast blame on those brave enough to speak up for justice”. – Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
Prof. Asare urged the public not to be deceived by this narrative, emphasizing that it must be rejected.
He highlighted that the politicians’ efforts to vilify the protestors are merely desperate attempts to divert attention from their own inaction and failures.
He called on Ghanaians to stand firm in the truth, asserting that justice and righteousness must triumph over fear and deception.
Prof. Asare Questions Ghana’s Galamsey Priorities
Moreover, Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare questioned how Ghana can hope to end galamsey when people are more outraged by the minor, harmless actions of a few protestors than by the glaring reality that illegal mining seems beyond the reach of law enforcement.
He pointed out that when the public’s attention is diverted to small disruptions rather than the widespread devastation of the nation’s land and water, the real crisis is overlooked.
Prof. Asare asked how Ghana can expect to combat this menace if Ghanaians are more concerned with decorum than with the poisoning of rivers and the selling off of the country’s future to greed.
“Our outrage must be directed where it truly belongs—at the lawlessness that continues to ravage our nation, not at the few brave souls who are willing to speak out against it. Only when we refocus our priorities and hold accountable those who allow this destruction can we hope to end galamsey once and for all?
“The purpose of the remand is clear—to dissuade us from further protests, to instill fear within us. For if they can imprison a few brave souls, it serves as a warning to all who dare to speak out. But I say unto you, let the remand fail in its true purpose. Let us keep this matter alive, refusing to be silenced”.
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare urged Ghanaians to expose and shame the judges responsible for allowing this unjust remand and to openly ridicule the Ministry of Justice for standing against what is right.
He stressed that citizens must not let fear take root in their hearts or be intimidated by those who seek to protect injustice.
Instead, he called for their voices to rise even louder and their resolve to grow even stronger until justice is achieved.
Prof. Asare reminded the public not to be deceived, emphasizing that the destruction caused by galamsey is apolitical—it brings harm without regard to party affiliations.
“This is not a political matter, and we must not let where we stand [to] be determined by our party affiliation”. – Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
He emphasized that this is a national crisis affecting all Ghanaians, a moral issue that goes beyond political divisions.
Prof. Asare emphasized that unity is essential to combat this menace, as failure to act collectively will lead to the destruction of the land—and ultimately, of the people.
He called on Ghanaians to rise as one, for the sake of their children and the future of the nation.
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