THE GALAMSEY CONUNDRUM....

Wonder why we are entrapped in an ongoing cyclical bedridden economy, poverty, disease? Look no further my dear cherished reader(s)... The enemy called galamsey is with us.

Small scale illegal mining also known as galamsey in Ghanaian parlance  is one of the Hitlerian characters that has dovetailed, jeopardised and  engulfed the country's economy.

Chemicals use in illegal mining or galamsey pollute air and water (change water color and taste) and reek of bad smell making lands infertile to support plants growth. In the long term, it affects not only the ecosystem but rob us of our human dignity.

According to the United Nations Industrial Organization, high concentration of unsafe amount of mercury was found in people (in both mining and non mining areas) and the amount of unsafe mercury in fish is three times beyond the acceptable levels by the US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA)

 

Mercury is a massive pollutant and omnipresent in the natural environment of these mining communities. The water bodies in these communities are choking on these pollutants which stems from inland generated by our unsustainable illegal mining activities. Some of these chemicals(cyanide, mercury) released in mining areas are ingested by our aquatic organisms (mainly fish). This is already present in the  bloodstream of majority of us, not just those in the mining communities but everybody. In the long term, we are poisoning the surroundings and ourselves in the process.

Farmlands (vegetation and top soil) are lost in the stream of this Hitler called galamsey.

What is sadly new is that, our current crop of leaders (assembly men, chiefs and some politicians) continue to steal from the state, mortgage the natural resources and future of citizens to foreign(mainly Chinese) interests, while dependent on polished and diplomatic lies, deception, propaganda in continuum to remain in charge.

Together, let's say no to wealth-loving treasure-happy greedy leaders in our communities. Together, let us wage the crusade and stamp out galamsey.

When we do this, we are not only safeguarding the future and destiny of our beloved country but also protecting ourselves from  diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis), saving ourselves the 45% arable farmlands which are lost annually to this canker, providing ourselves with clean water for drinking, cooking and keeping ourselves clean.

Say NO to galamsey now!

 

John Bosco Zielley writes.....

(One of SAF's authors)