Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has called for renewed urgency in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, following the tragic helicopter crash in the Adansi area that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others.
Speaking with Selorm Adonoo, on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, August 9, Bosu described galamsey as a major drain on the country’s resources and insisted that the loss of lives should not be in vain.
“Galamsey is taking so much from the country. We think that this should be a turning point for Ghana in the fight against galamsey. We cannot let this loss of precious lives be in vain. We really need to let this mean something good for the country.
“This has become a sacrifice on the occasion of that particular day. Letting us know that we cannot go back to the neglect, the inaction and all the things when it comes to galamsey, all the things that we need to do that we haven’t done. We cannot let this go to waste. So much has been lost, and the sacrifice is so deep and tough,” he said.
He urged the government to hold all actors in the illegal mining chain accountable, including security agencies, state appointees, and public officials.
He further called for consequences for those who enable or neglect to act against the menace, stressing that no one should be allowed to go unpunished.
“Everybody must see this as a rallying point to bring about some change. Nobody should be allowed to go scot-free; there should be consequences for the police, military, everybody, state appointees, and public officials who are supervising and have the capacity and power.
He added, “If you are going to sit negligently and not do anything, this sacrifice must remind you of what should be done. We need to change the way we tackle this issue, and we need to address the issue head-on. This sacrifice cannot be left to go in vain.”
Bosu said the tragedy should inspire decisive action to end illegal mining, warning against a return to “neglect and inaction” on the issue.
“There’s no longer any excuse for us not to act decisively in dealing with galamsey,” he suggested.
The eight victims were:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others, including soldiers.
I was scheduled to be on crashed helicopter – Asiedu Nketiah
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