By: A. Boateng

In recent months, the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, had taken center stage in national discourse. The country was united in voicing strong opposition to the illegal activities that were devastating water bodies and damaging the environment. Communities directly affected by the pollution of rivers and streams raised their voices demanding immediate government intervention. Environmental groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens were all pressing for a total ban on illegal mining putting immense pressure on the government to take decisive action.

The dangers of illegal mining are well known. Not only does it destroy forest reserves, but the use of harmful chemicals, such as mercury, to extract gold has also left once pristine rivers and streams heavily polluted, posing serious health risks to those who rely on these water sources for drinking and farming. The collective call to end galamsey echoed across the country, as the population hoped for swift and effective measures to curb this menace once and for all.

However, just as the country appeared to be closing in on a solution, a dramatic and unrelated event shifted the national focus. A dispute erupted in Ghana’s Parliament over which political side holds the majority in the legislative body. Members of Parliament (MPs) from opposing sides engaged in heated debates and legal battles over this issue leading to widespread media coverage and intense public interest. The political tussle quickly became the primary subject of conversation relegating the illegal mining menace to the background.

It is concerning to see how quickly attention has shifted from one of the most pressing environmental crises to a political squabble. While the debate over the majority caucus is significant especially for the legislative processes and governance of the country, it should not overshadow the urgent need to address the illegal mining activities that continue to wreak havoc on the environment. In the midst of the parliamentary chaos, the rivers are still polluted, the forests are still being cleared and the nation as a whole continues to suffer the consequences of unregulated mining.

The shift in focus reveals a troubling pattern where the nation’s attention is easily swayed by political theatrics even when life-threatening issues like environmental degradation are at stake. The battle against galamsey cannot afford to be forgotten or delayed. It requires sustained attention and concrete action, not just from the government, but from every Ghanaian who cares about the future of the country’s natural resources.

There is a need for the media and civil society to refocus the conversation back to the fight against illegal mining. The environmental damage caused by these activities will not wait for Parliament to settle its internal disputes. Water bodies are being destroyed at an alarming rate, and the longer the focus remains elsewhere, the harder it will be to reverse the damage.

In moments like these, the role of leadership becomes crucial. The government must not lose sight of its responsibility to protect the environment, even amidst political challenges. It is vital for policymakers and leaders to continue prioritizing the fight against galamsey, ensuring that it remains on the national agenda, and implementing the necessary laws and enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal mining once and for all.

As citizens, we must also remind ourselves of the long-term consequences of neglecting environmental issues. Political debates will come and go, but the destruction of our natural resources will have lasting effects for generations to come. The fight against illegal mining must not be abandoned; it is a fight for the health of our communities, the safety of our water, and the future of our environment.