The news article on ?To look critically, look at galamsey? as published by spyghana today makes interesting reading. As a citizen from Jacobu, I will be grateful if you publish my opinion.
The police and the chiefs as well as the some local politicians cannot escape blame from the resurge of illegal miners who are unsafely and irresponsibly destroying water bodies and farmlands in the Obuasi and Amansie districts. The interesting thing about this galamsey activity is that about 90% of these people come from outside Obuasi and Jacobu communities in search of non-existing jobs apart from the Chinese whose main aim is to plunder our natural resources and go back to their country.
If the chiefs are not involved in these sordid activities, why are they sitting down unconcerned for illegal immigrants from China to destroy the land while the people look on helpless?
The police who are supposed to maintain law and order also seem helpless but the people? in the communities also point accusing fingers to them for being part of the sinister games being played by the Chinese and local illegal miners.
My suggestion to the government is that Ghana should be declared as a ?failed state? if the government is not able to fight illegal mining in the country. No one can go to China and do the despicable things the Chinese are doing here. It is the duty of the government to ensure that they are flushed out.
It is gladden that the new Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has sworn to flush-out illegal mining. The decision is a right step so now that he has assumed office, he has no option but to walk his talk.
The greedy chiefs and policemen who are eating from the palms of these illegal miners should be put at their right places where they belong else we will be destroying our lands and forests for the sake of a tiny minority whose greed is driving us crazy.
By Akosua Tenewaa Chelsea,
Kumasi.
