Galamsey is our collective failure; we all see it but we’re helpless – Kwame Gyan
Published:
3 months ago
Source:
MyJoyOnline
Land Law expert Kwame Gyan has raised alarm over the deep-rooted indiscipline and lawlessness that continue to undermine Ghana's efforts to combat illegal mining, known locally as "galamsey."
He warns that the country's failure to enforce the law is not only exacerbating environmental destruction but also eroding the social fabric of the nation. Mr Gyan's criticism comes on the heels of recent statements made by Daasebre Asumadu Appiah, the Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuohene in the Eastern Region, who candidly admitted that the youth in Wenchi and its surrounding areas are unlikely to abandon galamsey, despite government crackdowns. The chief pointed out that galamsey has become the primary source of livelihood for many in the region, making it nearly impossible to halt the practice without offering viable alternative employment opportunities. He urged the government to consider establishing a more regulated community mining scheme as a practical solution. Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Monday, Mr Gyan painted a grim picture of a nation where lawlessness has become the norm. "There are some scholars who argue that this thing about impunity and indiscipline was one of the legacies of the many revolutions that we have been through, and all those things brought us to a point where gradually we decided not to respect authority and not to respect law and order.