Nothing – no number of press statements, no appeals to the human heart, citing diseases, malformations, infant mortalities, no ultimatums and threats of industrial actions – can stop Galamsey.

The only threat that can get the present government to act to decisively stop the menace is any action that will make it impossible for NPP to 'Break the 8'.

I repeat: if Akufo Addo is threatened with tangible evidence that Organized Labour, chiefs, faith groups etc have the capacity and/or capability to garner enough votes against Dr Bawumia, illegal mining will stop within 24 hours! Nothing else.

In like manner, John Mahama’s promises to free jailed Galamseyers and other sweet words that make Galamseyers feel untouchable, invincible and comfortable will come to an end if he is made to know, with feelie-feellie evidence by civil and faith-based societies, that the people can be mobilized in their thousands, even millions, to vote against the NDC and his candidature.

Such a contra-action against or threat to Mahama is key because it is known that the NDC won in ALL the Galamsey strongholds in 2020 because of those promises.

It is in reaction to this that the NPP parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East in the Western Region, Ernest Frimpong, had the temerity, a few months ago, to ask Galamseyers to resist any attempt by the military or any security officer to stop them from doing their work.

When Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh promised earlier in the week to return seized excavators to their owners if the electorate in Galamsey towns and villages voted for the NDC in December, his eyes were on the 2020 NDC haul.

His spokesperson, Fiifi Boafo, made all Ghanaians feel like idiots when he denied on the radio that the NPP Running Mate said words to that effect. Wish he heard what a female listener called in to say. She promised to send a recorded copy of Fifi’s denial to Prestea Huni Valley and Mpohor in the Western Region, and hire mobile public address systems to play back to the hearing of chiefs and residents.

Did you hear on radio and television the heart-wrenching words of that chief from the Eastern Region? He says that, as a result of the havoc wreaked by illegal mining on his traditional area, he led a delegation to see the top brass of the Armed Forces for help. The reply of the military commanders, according to him, was as follows: “In the past, soldiers could readily have gone to the rescue of your area but now government has categorically barred the military from Galamsey sites.”

All because of votes. Because someone wants to win power to “serve” the people. Of course, you cannot blame them. If a “mobrowa” can transform overnight from a struggling man/woman into the owner of 4x4 vehicles and a mansion within two years of their party coming to power, who wouldn’t be so careless with talk?

Money sweet! A party foot soldier was heard saying, “When we are talking of power, you are talking of patriotism? When we want to live and live well, you are mentioning the name of Jesus and Mohammed!”

Are these the thoughts running through the minds of supporters of John Mahama and Mahammadu Bawumia?

Did you see the vandalism, the fisticuffs, the hurling of dangerous objects at opponents during the violence that erupted at Walewale this week?

Just so someone can ride in a Land Cruiser or Prado?

Just so that people will call me “Honourable” and bow at my approach? Just so that pastors will offer me front seats during “harvests”?

Because of money, and what money can do, nothing matters anymore, nothing is shameful anymore.

No wonder, this country has become this ungovernable. How dare a Minister of State or government official raise a voice against blocking of roads and mounting of canopies in the middle of the road for funerals and parties?

Ever been inside the heart of Aborsey Okai? The roads have been narrowed because of double parking. The same people, when they are delayed in traffic at Circle, Kaneshie, Kejetia or Takoradi Market Circle accuse the government of incompetence.

Meanwhile, the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has been promoted to Interior Minister, after miserably failing to perform despite his threats and initial actions against selling on pavements, littering etc. He even recruited some young and women, sent them to “school” to train in maintaining security and cleanliness on the streets of Accra. They were graduated with fanfare.

I was so impressed, that I voted him “Minister of our time”. In less than a year, the worst fears of the people came to pass. Like his predecessor, Okoe Vanderpuye the “Abodwesa”, his own party colleagues derided him because his righteous measures were costing them votes. He mellowed, retreated into oblivion and bided his time. He is now an MP.

And we call them leaders!