We aren’t serious – Prof Frimpong-Boateng critiques government’s handling of galamsey crisis

In an appearance on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, November 30, former Minister of Environment, Science & Technology, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, expressed grave concerns over the future of Ghana’s environment and food security.

He painted a bleak picture of the nation’s prospects if illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, continues unchecked.

“The hunger that will befall us in the future is unimaginable,” Prof. Frimpong-Boateng warned. “Illegal miners are destroying all our pipelines and biodiversity, and nobody cares,” he added, his voice filled with frustration.

The former minister, who has long been vocal about the detrimental effects of galamsey, emphasized the widespread environmental damage caused by unregulated mining activities, which have devastated large swathes of the country’s forests and farmlands.

He pointed out that the destruction of these vital ecosystems is threatening the nation’s food production, an issue that seems to have fallen off the radar of many in power.

“We don’t have the crop of leaders who are ready to sacrifice for future generations,” he lamented. “The young people of today have lost hope.”

The gravity of his words resonated deeply, touching on the sense of disillusionment among the youth who are seeing their future jeopardized by the unchecked actions of illegal miners and the lack of strong governmental intervention.

Frimpong-Boateng’s comments were not just an indictment of illegal mining but also a sharp critique of the country’s leadership.

“We are not serious about the corruption fight. Leading this country is not about satisfying your family alone and leaving the generation to suffer,” he said, his frustration evident as he called out the selfishness he believes has become ingrained in political leadership.

For Frimpong-Boateng, the fight against corruption and environmental degradation goes hand in hand, and the failure to address both will inevitably lead to widespread poverty and famine in the future.

In communities across the country, farmers have seen their crops and livelihoods wiped out as mining activities encroach on their lands. The devastating consequences of galamsey have been a constant source of concern for environmentalists, local communities, and government officials alike.

At the heart of the issue is the lack of effective enforcement of mining laws, as well as the insufficient attention paid to the long-term environmental and economic impact of illegal mining.

Despite government efforts to clamp down on galamsey, the practice continues to thrive in some regions, with many miners operating in secrecy and with impunity.

“I have seen firsthand the destruction this industry causes,” said Kwame, a farmer in the Western Region. “My farm used to be lush and full of crops, but now it’s all gone.

“The river where I used to fetch water for irrigation is now polluted with chemicals from the mining. We’re left with nothing.”

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