Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy has expressed grave concerns over the severe impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s stability.
Kathleen Addy highlighted that the dangers of illegal mining extend far beyond the immediate threats to local communities.
“The additional issue that we are raising is continuing to highlight what a threat Galamsey continues to present us as a people to our country, to our existence. It’s an existential threat. It’s not just a threat to the people who live in the areas. The health risks are there, very important, and I fear that we are setting ourselves up for a huge health crisis the way Galamsey is going”, she said in an interview on Joy News.
She cited some examples in the sub-region which played an escalating conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia that destabilized the country for years.
She therefore urged authorities to take decisive actions against illegal mining to avert potential destabilization.
She also warned of severe consequences if these activities continue unchecked, stressing that the issue demands more than discussions.
“And those conflicts went on much longer than they should have because the diamond mining element continued to fuel. If you don’t take steps to avoid destabilizing your country, then these are the consequences”, she said.
The NCCE Chairperson further called for a united front in tackling this pressing issue, emphasizing that the well-being of Ghana’s future hangs in the balance.
“And so we have to understand that the talk around Galamsey is very serious because, you know, it may look like, well, I mean, life goes on, but the moment we force the land into an era of instability, then other forces will come in and we will have a really major problem.”
READ ALSO: Algorithms are Essential for Simplifying Daily Life, Says UCC Lecturer
Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
