The National Coordinator of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, has called on Ghanaians to rise above partisan politics in the fight against illegal mining, warning that environmental destruction caused by galamsey threatens the future of every citizen regardless of political affiliation.
Speaking on the need for collective action against illegal mining, Ms. Mawuenyefia said the pollution of rivers, farmlands, and forests cannot be viewed through a political lens because the consequences affect all Ghanaians.
“The land is for all of us. If there were no political parties, we would still be Ghanaians,” she stated.
She criticized attempts to politicize the fight against galamsey, arguing that no individual should remain silent about environmental degradation simply because their preferred political party is not in power.
According to her, every Ghanaian has a stake in protecting the country’s natural resources, including politicians, journalists, business owners, traders, students, and ordinary citizens.
Ms. Mawuenyefia stressed that the long-term effects of illegal mining extend beyond polluted water bodies to food security and public health, noting that crops cultivated on contaminated lands could expose consumers to harmful substances such as mercury and cyanide.
“We are all drinking the same water, breathing the same air, and eating food from the same land,” she said, urging citizens to consider the legacy they are leaving for future generations.
The rCOMSDEP National Coordinator maintained that while government continues to intensify efforts to tackle illegal mining, the challenge cannot be addressed by state institutions alone.
She called for a united national response anchored on environmental responsibility, community participation, and a shared commitment to preserving Ghana’s natural resources.
Ms. Mawuenyefia emphasized that the fight against galamsey should be seen as a national duty rather than a partisan issue, insisting that protecting the environment is essential to safeguarding livelihoods, public health, and the country’s future development.
