Mr. Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah, the Executive Director of HELP Foundation Africa, addressing journalists in Accra expressed that affected communities and Environmentalists are frustrated over the lack of law enforcement regarding the illegal mining activities. He described GALAMSEY situation as an emergency and called on the government to enforce the laws against galamsey without delay.
He explained ha Galamsey activities continue to affect the following forest reserves;
- Suhuma (Western North region)
- Sui River Forest Reserve (Western North region)
- Krokosua (Western North region)
- Ankobra River Forest Reserve (Western region)
- Tano Suraw Forest Reserve (Western region)
- Adansi North Forest Reserve (Ashanti region)
- Bom Anim Forest Reserve – Prestea (Western region)
- Tano Anwea Forest Reserve ( Western North and Western regions)
- Tano Nimire Forest Reserve (Western region)
- Tano-Offin Forest Reserve (Ashanti region)
- Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve
- Atiwa Forest Reserve (Eastern regions)
- Tano Ehuru Forest Reserve (Western North region)
- Cape Three Points Forest Reserve – Western region.
- Apamprama Forest Reserve – Western region
- Asenayo Forest Reserve – Nyninahin (Ashanti region)
Mr. Yamoah explained that about 60% of Ghana’s water bodies continue to be affected by galamsey activities including following; Enu River, Oda River, River Offin, River Prah, Afram River, River Owabi, River Fum, Subin River, Agogo River, Gyimi River, Daboase River, River Ankobra, Birim River, Asuboni River, Densu River, Black Volta, Tano River, etc.
Mr. Yamoah said Galamsey has become a significant issue in Ghana, leading to; severe environmental degradation, contamination of water bodies, contamination of fisheries and marine resources, public health risks, Food and Security risk and poses serious threats to the livelihoods, agriculture, etc.
Mr. Yamoah explained that the fight against GALAMSEY is a fight for our survival as a people and everyone must be involved. So, if any Ghanaian will look at the level of devastation by GALAMSEY and will not stand up and fight but decide to be involved in GALAMSEY then such person should be considered an enemy of STATE.
