Chief Moomen, a prominent Ghanaian poet and playwright, has attributed the rise in illegal mining activities in Ghana to a lack of political will to enforce the laws.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Chief Moomen emphasized that without a concerted effort from all levels of government to eradicate illegal mining, known as “galamsey” in Ghana, the problem will persist.
He highlighted that the issue of galamsey is deeply rooted in the governance and state system, which includes various government organs and political parties.
Chief Moomen stressed the importance of political will in implementing laws, policies, and holding individuals accountable to combat illegal mining effectively.
The poet pointed out that the key to addressing galamsey lies in leadership’s commitment to enforcing regulations at all levels of government. He cautioned that without effective leadership and a strong stance against illegal mining, efforts to curb the menace will be futile.
Chief Moomen’s remarks come amidst renewed concerns about illegal mining in Ghana, with recent protests drawing attention to the environmental and social impact of galamsey.
In response, President Nana Akufo-Addo has pledged to deploy additional military personnel, suspend mining in forest reserves, strengthen prosecutions of illegal mining cases, and promote a national pact on illegal mining.
The conversation surrounding galamsey continues to evolve, with stakeholders calling for decisive action to address the detrimental effects of illegal mining on Ghanaian citizens and the environment.
