If Soldiers Couldn’t Fight Galamsey, Is It Unarmed Civilians Who Can Do Better? – Atik Questions Mahama’s ‘Blue Water Guard’ Initiative

Atik Mohammed has kicked against President John Dramani Mahama’s resolve to use civilians to combat illegal mining, locally called “galamsey”.

The Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah launched an  initiative dubbed “Blue Water Guard” aimed at training 460 guards to protect the water bodies.

The 460 guards are the first batch to be sent to the galamsey communities to safeguard the environment.

Under the initiative, at least 2,000 Ghanaian youth are expected to receive training necessary to enable them to protect the country’s water bodies, particularly rivers, and ensure the restoration of their quality which has been jeopardized by the illegal mining activities.

“The Blue Water Initiative is our response—a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices”, the Minister said.

But Atik, a socio-economic analyst, has questioned this decision wondering how unarmed civilians can fight armed galamseyers.

He described the mining situation as a national security threat that calls for a statement of emergency in dealing with it.

He added that the illegal miners possess ammunition and other offensive weapons, hence threatening the lives of civilians.

“If the soldiers or the military have been unable to deal with the problem, is it civilians who can guard the water bodies?”, he questioned.

To him, to curb this perennial problem,“anybody found to be doing mining, whether a party Chairman or government official, in fact whoever you are, when you’re arrested, in the first instance, your arrest must be made public. Secondly, you must face court prosecution and if you are found guilty, you must be imprisoned”.

He made these remarks on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” panel discussion show.

Source: Ghmessenger.com