- Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey has sharply criticized the government
- He accused the govt of not reacting to illegal mining
- Ashigbey emphasized the urgent need for action
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, a convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has sharply criticized the government for its ineffective response to illegal mining activities that are polluting water bodies in Ghana.
Ashigbey argued that the problem extends beyond security challenges and reflects a broader leadership failure.
He pointed out that illegal mining in water bodies is currently taking place openly without any significant intervention from local authorities.
“It’s a clear failure of leadership, from the top down to our local leaders,” he said, criticizing the inaction of District Chief Executives (DCEs), Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), Police Commanders, and intelligence teams in affected areas.
Speaking to JoyNews, Ashigbey highlighted the severe water supply challenges faced by the Ghana Water Company due to water pollution caused by illegal mining.
He expressed concerns about the safety of treated water, as well as bottled and sachet water, which may contain traces of metallic substances.
“Even those living in Accra who rely on bottled or sachet water cannot be certain that they are free from these contaminants,” he questioned.
Ashigbey emphasized the urgent need for action and called on the media coalition to intensify its efforts to combat the problem.
He suggested legal action against those responsible for the environmental damage and urged President Akufo-Addo to follow the example of the Asantehene, who has been destooling chiefs involved in illegal mining.
“Why are the DCEs, MCEs, and regional ministers who oversee these affected areas still in their positions?” he questioned. “They should be held accountable for their failure to address this critical issue.”
