Galamsey crisis: Dr Tetteh calls for national emergency

By Abdulai SAAKA, Accra

RENOWNED Evangelist and founder of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, has issued a passionate call for a national emergency to combat the escalating crisis of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which he describes as an environmental catastrophe for Ghana.

Speaking on Zed in the Morning on Zed 101.9 FM, Dr. Tetteh warned that the nation is facing severe environmental degradation, particularly the destruction of its land and water resources, due to unchecked illegal mining activities. He criticized politicians for paying lip service to the issue and failing to take decisive action to stop the menace.

Dr. Tetteh’s plea comes on the heels of a warning from the Ghana Water Company Limited, which raised alarms about the disastrous impact of illegal mining on the country’s rivers and water bodies.

He lamented that while Ghana’s rivers are essential for clean water supply and agriculture, many have become heavily polluted, making them unusable for both purposes.

With the issue of galamsey resurfacing as a national crisis, Dr. Tetteh joins other prominent voices urging President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency to address the threat to the country’s environment and future.

Politicisation of the Galamsey fight

In his critique, Dr. Tetteh highlighted the politicization of the fight against galamsey, which he believes is hampering efforts to tackle the problem. He expressed frustration at how political interests have muddied the fight, preventing a unified national approach.

“We are playing politics with something that is destroying our nation,” he said, warning that the failure to take serious action could result in devastating long-term consequences for the country.

Dr. Tetteh stressed that stopping galamsey is possible if there is the political will, citing the government’s strict enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions as an example of how effective measures can be when there is determination. “If we want to stop galamsey, we can stop it,” he said, adding that the same level of seriousness should be applied to this environmental crisis.

Call for a national emergency

Echoing calls from other influential Ghanaians, including Professor Stephen Adei, Dr. Tetteh urged the president to declare a national emergency on galamsey, stating that the situation is now critical.

He argued that such a declaration is “long overdue” and necessary to mobilize the resources and coordination needed to tackle the crisis effectively. He urged politicians to rise above partisanship and personal interests and focus on the national good.

Dr. Tetteh also called on all sectors of society, including the military, police, politicians, and religious leaders, to play an active role in ending illegal mining. “Everybody must put their hands on deck,” he emphasized, pointing out that the solution requires collective responsibility.

He questioned what key institutions like the army and police were doing to address the crisis, stating, “This absurdity, this nonsense must stop, otherwise, our nation will be in trouble.”

Leadership and moral responsibility

While some have blamed the surge in galamsey activities on a moral breakdown among Ghana’s youth, Dr. Tetteh refuted this argument, stating that the older generation bears significant responsibility for the crisis.

He called for stronger leadership and ethical guidance from the country’s leaders, emphasizing that it is not just the youth who are at fault, but a systemic failure of leadership.

“Train a child in the way of the Lord, and when they grow, they will not depart from it,” he quoted from scripture, urging leaders to set a moral example for the younger generation.

A united front against Galamsey

Dr. Tetteh called for a “massive united front” to tackle the galamsey menace and safeguard Ghana’s environment for future generations.

His passionate plea reflects growing concerns among Ghanaians that without urgent and decisive action, the country’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies, could suffer irreversible damage. As calls for a national emergency grow louder, it remains to be seen whether the government and stakeholders will heed these warnings and take the bold steps necessary to resolve the galamsey crisis.