Why Can’t We Treat Galamsey As Security Threat? – Military Called To Intervene

Head of Psychologist at the University of Ghana, Prof. Joseph Osafo says galamsey should be declared a security threat.

Prof. Joseph Osafo, contributing to the Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show on Monday, September 2, warned the nation against the environmental and health threats of this mining menace.

Illegal mining (galamsey) has destroyed Ghana’s water bodies with the latest news being about River Pra which has turned brownish in color as a result of the contamination.

The Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL) has issued stern warning to residents in communities where galamseyers operate stating “about Sixty percent (60%) of the catchment capacity is silted as a result of illegal mining (galamsey) compromising the quality of raw water. We are currently recording an average turbidity of 14,000 NTU instead of 2000 NTU designed for adequate treatment”.

The company complains of “severe inconveniences” that galamsey activities are causing to residents in areas like Cape Coast, Elmina and their environs.

“Your assistance is crucial in helping us restore the quality of the raw water and ensure a reliable water supply of clean drinking water…”, the company implored Ghanaians.

Prof. Joseph Osafo proposed that the galamsey fight should be solely left in the hands of the Security Services, particularly the Military.

“Water resource or resources, they should be treated as security issues…We should begin treating water bodies as a security threat and deploy security services…We plead with our politicians and leaders that where this country is heading to, we need something more than promises. I think it’s about time we need actions and not promises”, he stated and questioned; “Why can’t we treat water as a security issue?…What are we doing to ourselves?”

Source: Ghmessenger.com