A Ghanaian woman allegedly involved in illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, has urged Ghanaians to direct their frustrations toward President Akufo-Addo instead of her.
In a video making waves on social media, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the backlash she has faced, asserting, “I am not the one to change Ghana; channel your grievances to Akufo-Addo.”
Her comments have since sparked significant attention, particularly as they seem to implicate the President himself in the illegal mining crisis that has plagued the nation.
According to her the President has his own galamsey site, stating, “Akufo-Addo has a galamsey site. I can lead you to the place.”
Her remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of the government’s response to illegal mining, particularly as the detrimental effects of galamsey on water bodies and agricultural land have become more pronounced.
The mining industry has long been a contentious topic in Ghana, with many community members expressing frustration over the loss of land and resources to mining operations.
Meanwhile, a Medical Doctor and Toxicologist, Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, has indicated that restoring Ghana’s water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, may take 10 to 15 years.
During his appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on Saturday, October 12, Dr. Boamah underscored the significant environmental damage caused by galamsey and the extensive timeframe necessary for recovery.
He explained that the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals like mercury and cyanide has severely contaminated the nation’s rivers and streams, complicating the restoration process.
Even with immediate action, he warned that ecological recovery would require long-term strategies, including ongoing monitoring and remediation.