Anti-Galamsey Heroes

Galamsey has taken another dramatic turn this chameleon year called 2024. This time, nationalism has changed colors and features groups and individuals who have suddenly discovered the courage to speak truth to power. ‘Government should take action to stop Galamsey or be prepared for massive protests. The President should indeed be willing to put his presidency on the line.’

They all forgot to add: ‘Without fail.’

The number of such patriotic groups yelling at Government to sit up grows by the hour. The earlier call for a state of emergency by my good and ‘troublesome’ friend Prof Addae, was also genuine but not the first of its kind. The difference is that this is an election year which like sugar, attracts political ants. The long convoy of singing choruses threatening industrial action makes you happy for Ghana, compelling you to proudly say, what a nation of nationalists! But this leaves you wondering, where were these patriots when a flagbearer boldly announced his great vision for Galamsey: “I will free all imprisoned Galamseyers if you vote me as president?’

When this was declared, a little booing by the patriots would have been great for the microphone.

Yet the Galamsey menace has produced true heroes from various nooks whom I salute today.

First, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a visionary king who has set the pace in several fields of endeavor: education, ethnic tolerance, peace-making, environmental health, etc. Galamsey is a complex issue, but Otumfuo recently made bold to name and shame two Asante chiefs for engaging in illegal mining, and thereafter had their ceremonial footwear publicly removed to signal outright dismissal. In his words at the ceremony: ‘You have used the poison given to you to destroy the land… your leadership ends today. You are losing the power you abused.’ That was the first of its kind for traditional authority, which wields power over most land that has been abused for illicit mining.

When Otumfuo last week crossed the Pra River on his historic trip to Cape Coast

Afahye festival, rituals were performed before his passage over Pra; and His Majesty is reported to have reflected solemnly on the environmental setback he witnessed. The purity of the Pra river which is a dividing landmark between Ashanti and the Coast, has now been lost to Galamsey; Pra has lost its awe and majesty. But Otumfuo’s grief was deeper. Pra is of spiritual significance to the Ashanti: the site where his great ancestor Osei Tutu I, met his untimely death in a war with the Akyem in the 18th century. But the great Ashanti kingdom quickly converted the tragedy into an opportunity to strengthen their judicial system. The invocation of that tragedy remains the sole preserve of the king, and has been used to strengthen the Asante judicial system from time immemorial. That is the genesis of the great oath of the Ashanti, Ntamkesee, which is as effective today as it was in pre-colonial Asante.

Libation poured prior to Otumfuo’s passage across the Pra was thus compelling. Otumfuo, our Condolences!

Hero 2

Our next hero is the Paramount Chief of Agona Kwanyako traditional area in the Central region, Nana Dr Ampem Darko IV. February this year, Nana received a letter from the Minerals Commission, declaring the intention to mine lithium close to the water treatment plant within his jurisdiction. Nana would not hear that; he instantly convened a meeting of chiefs, elders, and the youth, who swore to fight off any menace that would degrade the environment, poison their primary water sources, and wipe out sources of livelihood bequeathed by their ancestors. The Kwanyako township that day embarked on a historic protest march with youths and elders draped in red, amidst singing and the beating of war drums. The processors waved placards and chanted anti-Galamsey slogans. A press conference that followed was historic, with the agitated voice of Nana booming across the palace grounds, and narrating the importance of Kwanyako in the history of Ghana’s cocoa. Mining in the neighborhood could delete the great township from Ghana’s history. ‘We shall never submit to anything that poses an environmental hazard today or tomorrow,’ he said to wild cheers.

Hero 3

According to CITI FM, angry youths of Akyem Asuom in the Eastern Region early this September, stormed 10 mining sites in the area, forcing illegal miners to halt operations, with some taking to their heels, and leaving mining equipment behind. Equipment seized were sent to the chief.

Hero 4

Let’s move to Nzema land in the Western region. 3News reports that in April this year, angry Nzema residents expressed fury about the spread of Galamsey and the destruction of water bodies in the area. At a press conference in Bakanta, a community in the Ellembele area, many residents of Nzema, Aowin, Sefwi, Wassa were up in arms having to drink mercury, and lead-laden water, as well as eating fish from polluted rivers.

Hero 5

This is a story of relief and celebration, sourced from CITI Fm. I refer to River Antinka at Jema in the Western Region, where the Chief and youths have signed a ‘No Galamsey’ agreement to save their community. River Antinka has retained its purity and essence as a rich source of nourishment. School children freely scoop the river and drink of it with pride, while other streams have been polluted with Galamsey; thanks to the cooperation of the Chief of Jema. One Catholic Father, Blay, got hint and informed the community that their site was being considered for Galamsey, and got the people to rally and stop the menace. That’s why the farmers are happy and people sell drink directly from this river. According to one pupil, they don’t want Galamsey, and that they value their lives and good education over temporary riches.

Yes, these are a sample of true heroes of our time. Significantly, they are local activists and indigenous office holders that have experienced the purity and nourishment of a Paradise Lost, and have sacrificed their lives to save future generations.

If modern politicians have failed to stop the menace, heritage and indigenous governance are the best allies in the fight against Galamsey.

With indigenous governance, the four year tyranny of election has no room: there is No Eight to Break, and No Eight to battle. The war to save nature needs no 5melines, and leaves no room for political actors who masquerade as anti-Galamsey heroes.

The true heroes are like precious beads, they do not rattle.

Written by Kwesi Yankah – [email protected]