Galamsey is Ghana’s drug trade

Ghanaian Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, has drawn a striking comparison between illegal mining known as galamsey and the drug trade, comparing it to the cocaine trade in Colombia.

He voices urgent concerns that the Galamsey crisis is not merely an environmental problem, but is deeply intertwined with a web of corruption involving politicians, chiefs and security personnel.

“Galamsey is the drug trade of Ghana,” George says emphatically. “It is to Ghana what cocaine is to Colombia. Cartels are involved. These cartels involve politicians, chiefs and security personnel.” His claim brings to light the severity of the galamsey menace, which has wreaked havoc on the country’s water bodies and landscapes.

George does not hesitate to point the finger at President Nana Akufo-Addo, saying: “NAkufoAddo bears the ultimate responsibility. He has the power to arrest and deal decisively with all those involved.”

His frustration underlines a growing sentiment among Ghanaians, who feel the government has been ineffective in tackling illegal mining and the corruption it enables.

The MP’s statement resonates with many citizens who believe that the government’s complicity in the Galamsey crisis allowed these criminal enterprises to flourish unchecked. “If we want to tackle this cancer, we must be honest and brutally frank about the truth,” he emphasizes.

His call for accountability reflects a deep-seated desire for real reform and action against those who profit from illegal activities at the expense of the environment and public health.