Award winning Journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s faltering fight against illegal mining (galamsey) that has ravaged the nation’s waterways and forests.
In an interview with Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo at Abusua965FM, Erastus exposed the glaring inefficiency of recent Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoahene’s military operations, citing the Jimira Forest Reserve debacle.
“The Jimira Forest Reserve, which I highlighted on social media, was reportedly addressed by the regional minister, who claimed to have sent military personnel there. However, how long does it take for those military officers to travel from Kumasi to Nkawie? It took them more than 24 hours to get there. By the time they arrived, no illegal miners (galamseyers) were present”
He added “Over 50 excavators had already been moved out of the forest, and the military claimed they could not arrest even a single person“.
Erastus urged government to transition from rhetoric to action, emphasizing the need for tangible results.
“Seriously, we need to get serious and move beyond talk. It’s time for concrete actions and implementation. This is what we must do, and be ready to take action,” he stressed.
Erastus noted that Ghana’s water bodies, once the lifeblood of agriculture and communities, now lie poisoned and barren, except for Lake Volta, which remains a fragile lifeline.
“Today, all our major water bodies in Ghana have been destroyed: Ankobra, Bia, Birim, Tano, Pra, Offin (which is even worse), Oda River, and Asu. Only Lake Volta remains as the sole water body that can be confidently said hasn’t been destroyed,” he lamented.
He, however, stressed that farmers near these rivers now trek kilometers daily to fetch water, their crops withering as once-reliable streams turn toxic.
“Our farming business is at stake. Those who once farmed near these water bodies have all stopped because they must carry water for approximately 7 kilometers to their farms before irrigating their crops. Ironically, large rivers run alongside their farms, yet they cannot fetch water due to the devastation caused by illegal miners.”
The journalist’s solution to illegal mining is radical, declare water bodies and forests ‘red zones’ under a state of emergency.
“I firmly believe the President should declare mining on water bodies a no-go zone—a red zone under a state of emergency. If found there, severe penalties should apply. For forest reserves, entry without a license should be strictly prohibited. If the President declares a state of emergency, it will give me hope that he is truly committed to combating illegal mining”.
Erastus Asare Donkor revealed chilling threats against his life for his activism but refused to back down. “If they’re bold enough to threaten me, let them use that courage to protect our rivers,” he declared.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
