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Okyeame Kwame Presses President Akufo-Addo to Take Decisive Action on Illegal Mining
Ghanaian music legend Kwame Nsiah Apau, professionally known as Okyeame Kwame has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to address the pressing issue of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which is devastating the nation’s environment.
Speaking on UTV’s United Showbiz the musician questioned why the president has been unable to fulfill his promise to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which continues to devastate the nation’s water bodies.
According to Okyeame Kwame, when Akufo-Addo first assumed office, he made a bold declaration that he would put his presidency on the line if he could not stop galamsey. However, with only three months remaining before the next election, the president has yet to address the severe pollution of the country’s water bodies.
“Why can’t you put a stop to it?” the musician asked, adding, “When Nana Addo was coming to power, he said he would put his presidency on the line if he’s unable to solve galamsey. Whyis it that we have three months to another election, and he cannot say our water bodies are polluted so everyone should put down their mining equipment for some time?”
The artiste behind the hit song ‘Small Small’ questioned whether the president’s reluctance to act was politically motivated, particularly over concerns about votes for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming election. Despite this, he urged the president to take immediate action, highlighting that the destruction of water resources was a national crisis that transcends political interests.
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known for his activism on environmental and social issues, the award-winning singer voiced his concerns publicly, asking the president to step in and put an end to this menace.stressed that galamsey is not only an environmental threat but also a danger to the future of Ghana’s citizens, urging President Akufo-Addo to take a decisive stand.
”With the executive power at his disposal, the president can mandate stakeholder engagements to find a sustainable solution,” Okyeame Kwame added. He further stressed that air and water are the most vital resources for human survival, and the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies should be addressed without partisan politics.
“Our greatest resources are water and air. So what is this NPP, NDC divide over the issue? They all have their interests. It is a political investment recuperation programme for them. Let’s set aside the political divide on the issue (fight against galamsey), and use our love for the country to solve this problem. But it is all dependent on President Akufo-Addo,” he stated.
Galamsey, or illegal small-scale mining in Ghana, has severely impacted the environment, especially water bodies. Rivers and lands have been polluted with toxic substances, leading to long-term damage to ecosystems and posing health risks to communities. Despite government efforts to curtail this activity, it continues to thrive due to various factors such as poverty, weak enforcement of laws, and corruption.
Many Ghanaians, including celebrities and humanitarian and environmental groups have called for urgent action to end galamsey. Public figures and activists regularly voice concerns, urging the government to find sustainable solutions to this issue before it further damages the nation’s resources and future.