According to Yussif Gyamson, a member of the Western Region Peace Council, residents of communities affected by illegal small-scale mining may soon stage an uprising.
He said this is due to the fact that water bodies and forest bodies are being destroyed by illegal mining linked to the very existence of the people.
He clarified that people living in areas affected by galamsey are aware of the proverb and would have to have no choice but to make that decision because their source of survival has been destroyed.
He said, “We know that the rivers and streams used to serve as a source of drinking water to many Ghanaians in these areas. They don’t have potable water as we have, they survive on natural water… streams and rivers with even better alkaline levels than we have in the cities.”
“… destroying the future of unborn generations. If our parents had behaved this way would we have come to meet Ghana the way it is.
“But today most of us, you and I we are into mining gold. Using crude methods, very crude methods in mining gold, destroying water bodies and destroying our forests. Just because we want gold. Ghanaians are we not ashamed of ourselves.”
Mr. Gyamson indicated that “the people who are affected by the destruction of the water bodies and the forest will one day rise up against us”.
“And when they rise up our soldiers will find it difficult shooting and killing them because their numbers will be such that we will not have enough bullets to kill all of them so they will overtake us.”
Source: Eric Adjei
