Kwabena Owusu Dankwah (KOD), co-host of Kessben Maakye on Kessben FM, has called on government and political actors to desist from politicizing the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on the station’s morning show, KOD stressed that the environmental and health consequences of galamsey have reached alarming levels, and addressing the menace requires a united, non-partisan front.
“Our rivers are dying. The situation has gone beyond politics. If we continue to look at it through political lenses, we will lose our water sources and endanger public health,” he warned.
He pointed out that turbidity levels in major water bodies such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin rivers have drastically increased, largely due to illegal mining activities. Turbidity, measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), has in some areas exceeded 10,000 NTU, far above the World Health Organization’s safe threshold of 5 NTU for treated drinking water.
“These rivers are now filled with heavy metals and silt. The Ghana Water Company Limited is struggling to treat water for consumption, and some of the plants like Daboase and Barekese are in critical condition,” KOD said.
He emphasized that galamsey is not just an environmental concern, but a national security, governance, and public health crisis.
KOD appealed to the government to adopt a firm and impartial approach, free from political interference, favoritism, or selective enforcement.
“We need bold leadership and consistent enforcement of the law—regardless of whose interests are at stake. Galamsey is destroying our future, and it must not be reduced to a political game,” he asserted.
His comments come amid ongoing national concerns over the slow pace and perceived politicization of efforts to combat illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
