Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens Madam Awula Serwaa, has passionately called on the Ghanaian public and political leaders to take decisive action against illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”
She highlighted the existential threat posed by illegal mining to the nation’s water bodies, forests, and public health.
As the country inches closer to a crucial election, she underscored the urgency of implementing meaningful policies to address the crisis.
Awula Serwaa emphasized that illegal mining is a grave threat to Ghana’s survival. He Emphasized;
“Our politicians are telling us that you are being poisoned. Don’t worry. Keep on being poisoned. When we finish with the elections, we’ll see what we can do.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
This apathy, she argued, is unacceptable, especially as the effects of pollution and environmental degradation are already being felt.
Outlining key steps to address the crisis, Serwaa proposed. She noted;
“Even with the big mining companies, we have just about 15 or so. We can’t even monitor them. How much more the thousands and thousands of community mining, small-scale mining—whatever you want to call it—it’s just not working.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
Additionally, she called for the revocation of Legislative Instrument 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves and globally significant biodiversity areas. She described the legislation as; ”A very irresponsible piece of legislation.’’
She also advocated for adopting the “polluter pays principle,” which would require individuals and companies guilty of polluting the environment to bear the cost of reclamation.
The Role of Political Leadership
Madam Serwaa stressed the need for immediate action from the next government.
“Whoever wins should commit to going straight to the forest reserves and removing all equipment or persons mining in our forest reserves and water bodies- right now, we are saying that whoever wins the election should immediately declare a state of emergency.
It’s so wicked of our politicians to say you’re being poisoned. That’s okay, Let’s finish with the elections. If you’ve died, that’s okay. We might buy a coffin for you.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
Awula Serwaa lamented the lack of public outrage over the issue, attributing it to insufficient awareness of the extent of the damage.
She referenced a documentary, Poison for Gold, which Eco-Conscious Citizens recently screened. She recounted;
“When we showed the first one at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, there was a stunned silence afterward. A lot of people said to me privately that they were not aware of the extent.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
She urged Ghanaians to demand accountability from political leaders and, if necessary, take to the streets to force action.
Awula Serwaa expressed disappointment in organized labor for failing to sustain pressure on the government. She recounted;
“We’re badly let down by organized labor. They gave assurances of a general strike, which would have forced the government to act. But all of a sudden, they decided not to go ahead.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
She also highlighted the complicity of state institutions in enabling illegal mining, citing instances where activists were targeted for speaking out;
“The people poisoning us, killing us, can do what they like. But when it comes to the perpetrators, either those who beat up journalists or those who poison streams, they can carry on because it’s believed they are well connected.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
The activist called for swift justice for journalists and citizens who risk their lives to expose the dangers of illegal mining.
Referencing the case of a journalist who was beaten while covering illegal mining, she said; “These things happen in this country, and there’s no problem. Over time, there’s no responsibility for what is done.”
Madam Serwaa also criticized the police for failing to act against illegal miners, recounting an incident where arrested miners were quickly released on bail and allowed to continue their activities.
Madam Serwaa’s impassioned plea underscores the urgency of addressing illegal mining in Ghana.
As the elections approach, she calls on political leaders, state institutions, and citizens to take a stand against environmental degradation.
“If you are not going to stop the poisoning, we will either hit the streets or there’ll be a general strike. We are tired of being poisoned.”
Madam Awula Serwaa Environmental activist and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens
This is a rallying cry for all Ghanaians to demand accountability and ensure that the nation’s natural resources are preserved for future generations.
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