Galamsey threatens the survival of future generations and must not be encouraged - says Mr. Benjamin Quashie.
Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders Chair for South Africa, has revealed that illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, has no place in President John Dramani Mahama's government, highlighting that fighting it is dear to the president's heart.
In an interview on Class 91.3FM on Friday, 7th February 2025, Mr. Quashie intimated that law enforcement agencies are gradually driving out illegal miners from forest reserves and water bodies.
"We've directed law enforcement agencies to gradually get rid of illegal miners. The process started as soon as we won the elections. Adding to the menace is so devastating, and fighting it is of topmost priority to the President", he stated.
Regarding the effects of galamsey, the SA Council Chair underscored the rippling effects of illegal mining on the current generation and on those yet unborn.
"When we destroy our environment - if we destroy our water bodies, if we destroy our forest reserves - it affects future generations" he affirmed, suggesting, no reasonable leader would be unconcerned about future generations, but only think of the present.
He was of the opinion that a good leader is one who prepares the ground for future generations to benefit from, regardless of the fact that they were not part of the building process. "This is what President Mahama seeks to achieve", stressed Mr. Quashie.
The galamsey fight has been fraught with politics, hampering our progress in dealing with the menace. Mr. Quashie pointed out that judging from the directives issued by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, it was not going to be business as usual.
"It does not matter who you are or what you do for the country or the NDC; once you are involved in galamsey, the party must come at you with its full force", stressed Mr. Quashie
To succeed, he suggested that people involved in galamsey and also party members must be taken out of the party. "Anybody who has business to do with galamsey or the galamsey industry must not be tolerated by the NDC going forward."
In assuring Ghanaians of the government's commitment to tackling illegal mining, he held the view that, with the privilege of the directives the president has given to the sector ministers, the Regional Coordinating Councils, as well as other stakeholders who matter, they can fight galamsey, "The might and will of the government would be brought to bear on those people in measures unseen before, even if they are party people", he emphasised.
The SA Council Chair expressed worry about rumours of party people taking over the galamsey activities, expressing his amazement and cautioning such individuals to desist from such acts.
"I get surprised when I hear people say party people have taken over the galamsey business. It wouldn't happen, not under President Mahama, not under anybody. We campaigned on curtailing illegal mining and rather rationalizing it, and we cannot sit aloof for it to persist", he ended.
