The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has criticised the government for its failure to take meaningful action in the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

According to him, the menace is still prevalent despite the government's recent reaffirmation to eradicate it.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, November 13, Dr Ashigbey questioned the legacy President Akufo-Addo would leave behind if his government failed to address the ongoing crisis.

“What is the president going to leave behind in this situation we find ourselves in?” he asked emphasising the urgency of the situation as galamsey continues to poison the nation’s land and water resources.

Dr Ashigbey pointed to the lack of progress in government response, particularly from key agencies.

Despite the military’s involvement in the fight against illegal mining, the Convener argued that the government’s efforts have been ineffective.

“It did not start well,” he said, referring to the delayed involvement of the military.

Dr Ashigbey revealed that the Coalition has been seeking answers from key institutions, including Ghana Water, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), about the impact of galamsey on public health, particularly the safety of drinking water.

According to him, despite these repeated inquiries, the response from these agencies has been slow.

“We’ve written to Ghana Water asking them to confirm whether the water they’re providing is safe and within acceptable limits for heavy metals. Ghana Water says they’ve sent samples to be tested, but we’re still waiting. We don’t even have a formal response from them,” he said.

Touching on the attack on Joy News’ Erastus Asare, Dr Ashigbey expressed disbelief that the perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice.

“How is it that a journalist, who has been at the forefront of fighting this particular crime, has been attacked and we don’t have anything happening to this issue? The criminals are still walking free,” he lamented.

He called for a joint force against the menace

"We need to mobilise all relevant stakeholders to hold the police, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources accountable for their role in the galamsey fight."

Dr Ashigbey and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey are also pushing for presidential and parliamentary candidates to take a stand on the issue, pledging to organise a collective movement that will demand immediate action, regardless of the election season.

“It doesn’t matter how close the election is. If we’re destroying the lands we have, we need to ask ourselves, what are we leaving for our descendants?”