Erastus Asare Donkor, an award-winning journalist and known environmental advocate, has issued a scathing critique of the government’s failure to address illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
The Ghana Journalist Association 2023 Journalist of the Year, in a sharp critique, accused the current New Patriotic Party administration led by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of deliberate inaction, calling for immediate enforcement of laws to curb environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
He warned that politicizing the issue would only lead to further degradation of the country’s natural resources, urging the government to act decisively.
“I see no politics in this environmental madness. I only see an Akuffo Addo/ Bawumia government vested with the power to act. Everything else is noise. You have the power and authority to enforce our laws even against members of the opposition NDC, who are making noise”
Erastus Asare Donkor, an Award-winning Broadcast Journalist
Government’s Role and Power to Act
For him, the government’s failure to enforce the law and protect the environment implicates them as complicit in the ongoing destruction of rivers, forests, and communities across Ghana.
The award-winning journalist emphasized that the responsibility to address the illegal mining crisis lies squarely in the hands of the current administration.
Galamsey and Political Gimmicks
Erastus Asare Donkor’s frustration stems from what he sees as an attempt to politicize the galamsey issue, transforming it into a partisan tool rather than addressing it as a national emergency.
He noted that both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are guilty of turning galamsey into a political football, but he warned against letting this distract the government from its duty to act.
“I see a deliberate attempt to play the NPP/NDC gimmicks to politicize and get gullible Ghanaians to support the government not to act,” he said.
According to him, this tactic is being used to mislead the public, shielding the government from taking responsibility.
Erastus Asare Donkor stated clearly that no other party or individual holds the power to intervene: “We would hold the balls of any other persons who take over, but for now, nobody holds the power to act than Akufo-Addo and Bawumia.”
Inaction Despite Warnings
The GJA Illegal Mining Reporter of the Year 2024’s frustration with the administration deepened after President Akufo-Addo’s recent appearance at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.
He revealed that, despite passionate appeals from speakers at the event, President Akufo-Addo made no mention of galamsey, failing to even acknowledge the devastation it has caused to Ghana’s major rivers.
“Sometimes I convince myself that Prez Akufo-Addo will have a change of heart about galamsey, but after last night I got my fears confirmed.
“He was stone-cold and adamant. Not even an acknowledgement of the pollution of all the major rivers across the country. What a SHAME!! My heart bleeds for this country!! Herrrrh!!”
Erastus Asare Donkor, an Award-winning Broadcast Journalist
The renowned broadcast journalist did not mince words about the consequences of continued inaction. He argued that failure to address galamsey could have devastating long-term impacts on the nation’s environment, communities, and future generations.
However, he rejected the notion that enforcing laws against illegal mining would hurt the government’s electoral prospects. He believes that acting against galamsey would win the administration the support of right-thinking Ghanaians.
“You will be mistaken if you think that enforcing the law and doing the right thing will make you lose votes. It will rather win the hearts of many right-thinking Ghanaians, including me!!” he stressed.
Erastus Asare Donkor’s remarks serve as a sharp indictment of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government’s approach to galamsey. His words are a reminder that illegal mining is not just a political issue, but a threat to the very future of Ghana’s environment and communities.
With the country’s rivers poisoned and forests destroyed, Erastus Asare Donkor’s call for immediate, decisive action reflects several calls for the government to take immediate and urgent action to curb the illegal mining menace.
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