Renowned Ghanaian actress and movie producer, Nadia Buari, has made a passionate call for Ghanaians to stand up against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, which she described as a menace destroying the future of the country.
In a powerful statement, the award-winning actress called for public education, national unity, and lawful protests to end this destructive practice, which continues to wreak havoc on the nation’s land, rivers, and natural resources.
“Ignorance, poverty, greed and the desperation to be rich at once and at all cost seem to be the driving forces behind the pungent act of illegal mining otherwise GALAMSAY, destroying our dear country”.
Nadia Buari, a renowned Ghanaian Actress and Movie Producer
She emphasized that this harmful pursuit is not only a Ghanaian problem but a broader issue affecting other African nations as well, and it is exacerbated by the actions of political leaders who flaunt ill-acquired wealth.
“All over the continent, politicians no longer just rob their nations, but also now rob off their ill-acquired wealth on the faces of the same masses that put them in power through flaunting this wealth in the open acquisition of public properties”.
Nadia Buari, a renowned Ghanaian Actress and Movie Producer
This unchecked display of wealth, she argued, has fueled a dangerous hunger among citizens to seize their own destinies, often engaging in activities that destroy the land, rivers, and farms reserved for the future.
“It’s really sad that today’s hunger is making us not think about what will preserve us tomorrow,” she added.
From Blaming Colonialism to Addressing Our Own Failures
In her statement, the renowned actress reflected on Africa’s history of blaming colonial powers for exploiting its resources, but she noted that today’s destruction is self-inflicted.
“In the past, we accused the white man of ripping off the black. Now that it’s black destroying the future of blacks, whom do we blame?” she asked, signaling a shift in responsibility from external forces to local leaders and citizens.
Nadia Buari issued a heartfelt plea to all segments of society, from parents to religious leaders, to rise up against the greed fueling illegal mining.
“Let’s rise up to stop this menace of greed before it stops our future. Let’s forsake this evil act for the sake of our children,” she urged.
Public Education and the Role of the Film Industry
Nadia Buari believes the fight against galamsey must begin with public education to raise awareness about the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
She called for educational reforms that not only teach children about Ghana’s gold production but also highlight the dangers of abusing the land to extract these resources.
As a key player in the entertainment industry, Nadia Buari also encouraged her fellow actors and filmmakers to take responsibility for raising awareness through their craft.
“We in the movie industry must not just seek to entertain, but also perform to inform our viewers of the danger of this galamsey menace engulfing us all,” she said.
Support for Lawful Protests
Additionally, Nadia Buari underscored the importance of exercising democratic rights to protest, emphasizing that lawful demonstrations against galamsey are vital to the fight.
“Expressing our democratic rights for our rights is always right as long as how we express these rights are within the law,” she declared.
She also took a strong stand against any attempts to criminalize protests or arrest activists fighting against environmental destruction.
“Nobody exercising his or her right to protest against this wrong has done anything against the law to be arrested or detained for any reason,” Nadia Buari said firmly.
Nadia Buari’s impassioned plea is a wake-up call for Ghanaians to stand united against illegal mining and its disastrous effects on the country’s environment.
With a focus on public education, civic responsibility, and lawful protest, Nadia Buari believes the country can protect its natural resources for future generations.
“I stand with all who fight for this good cause,” she declared, ending her statement with a rallying cry for action.
Her statement joins a growing chorus of citizens, activists, and leaders demanding immediate and sustained action against the existential threat of galamsey.
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