Dr. Ing. Ken Ashigbey, leader of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has issued a strong call for direct presidential intervention to combat the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
According to Ashigbey, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been overwhelmed by the crisis, which has now spiraled beyond the ministry’s capacity to resolve.
His appeal comes in the wake of new measures announced by Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor to tackle illegal mining. While Ashigbey acknowledged the minister’s efforts, he stressed that the escalating nature of the crisis requires more authoritative action.
“At this point, because we are in a crisis, I think the situation has gone beyond the minister for lands and natural resources. It needs the president himself to act on the challenges we are facing to deal with them decisively,” Ashigbey stated during his remarks on Thursday.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, pointing to how nations around the world respond swiftly to environmental crises.
Ashigbey urged President Akufo-Addo to step in with the same resolve and commitment he demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that only presidential leadership can provide the decisive action needed to curb the illegal mining catastrophe.
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey, under Ashigbey’s leadership, has been at the forefront of efforts to stop illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” which has caused extensive damage to Ghana’s forests, rivers, and agricultural lands. Ashigbey insists that without urgent and forceful intervention, the environmental and economic consequences will be irreversible.
Source: InsiderGH.com
