Galamsey fight: Let’s avoid politicization- E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman
The battle against illegal mining should be devoid of politicization in order for it to make the right impact.
The Executive Chairman of E ON 3 Group, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, who made the call said the politicization of galamsey is counter productive and must not occupy space in the national effort to uproot the menace.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, he asked Ghanaians to see illegal mining as a national concern because the impacts affect all.
“I want to make a passionate appeal to all Ghanaians to put party affiliations aside and work together to uproot illegal mining. Fighting galamsey should not be NPP or NDC matter because if we politicize it, we will shift attention from the illegal miners and they will have their way to perpetrate their illegal acts,” he said.
Health threat from mercury
The E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman pointed out that the health threat from the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale mining knows no political colour.
For that reason, a united front is needed to launch a major onslaught on the canker of illegal mining.
Further explaining the threat posed by mercury, he said health experts have indicated that exposure to mercury has negative impacts on reproductive outcomes.
“Health experts have revealed that mercury in mining can affect even an unborn baby, as well as the newly born child. In many mining communities in Ghana, especially in the Western Region, some child deformities have been attributed to exposures to mercury .”
He said cancers and other related ailments including kidney diseases are also attributable to exposure to mercury.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that all forms of mercury are toxic and the developing foetus and child are sensitive to most, if not all of such toxics.
Youth challenged
Taking a look at the youth, the E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman challenged them to make their impact felt strongly in the fight against illegal mining.
He said the future of the youth would be jeopardised if they do not play an active role in the galamsey war.
“The youth should rise up and speak against galamsey. I want to see the NPP and NDC youth who have the numbers politically, joining hands to speak against galamsey. I want to see social media influencers using their platforms to speak against galamsey.”
Religious leaders
The E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman also encouraged religious leaders to play an active role in the fight against galamsey.
“Christians leaders should use the pulpits to preach against galamsey and our Muslims leaders should also make galamsey fight part of their preachings in the mosques .”
Responsible mining
He said the interest of the youth should rather be on responsible mining, which would guarantee them a better future.
“Responsible mining holds the key to safeguarding the environment and giving hope to the youth. Therefore, the youth must be seen to propagating the gospel of responsible mining for their own good and for the good of the country, “ he said.
He added:“Small-scale miners should accept environmentally- friendly mining practices. In that case, responsible mining is the way to go.”
