“I Wish Military Action Against Galamsey Can Be Consistent” – Cwesi Oteng

Gospel musician Cwesi Oteng has called for heightened measures to address the ongoing galamsey crisis in Ghana. In a recent interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, he expressed surprise at the ability of illegal miners to continue their operations without facing apprehension.

“It’s like the system has closed its mind to the situation. Perhaps some of the wealthy people that do these things also support government. I don’t know how the forces of the land have not taken action,” he stated during the discussion with host Kwame Dadzie.

Cwesi acknowledged the deployment of military personnel to various mining sites aimed at curbing illegal activities but expressed concern that these efforts should not be temporary. “Currently, I have seen that the soldiers are trying to clear people from the water bodies. I wish that can be consistent on a daily basis. Not like a one-week something because as for the water it is changing, and eventually it will reach us all,” he remarked.

His comments come in the wake of renewed discussions about illegal mining, spurred by recent protests and marches organized by various groups.

In response to the escalating issue, President Nana Akufo-Addo has pledged to deploy additional military personnel to strengthen the fight against galamsey. He also announced a suspension of mining activities in forest reserves, enhanced prosecution of illegal mining cases, and called for a national pact to combat the problem effectively.