Media personality Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has alleged that executives of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) are actively engaged in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on his show on Onua FM, the outspoken journalist said the galamsey menace has not been stopped because NDC constituency executives are deeply involved in the illegal act.
“Galamsey has not stopped because NDC executives are in the forest engaging in illegal mining. Who doesn’t know? I am saying it. I fought galamsey, and because of that, President Akufo-Addo caused my arrest five times. But I am sitting here and telling you today that NDC executives are engaged in galamsey. The National Democratic Congress constituency executives are in the forests engaging in galamsey presently.
When you go past Linda Dor Junction on your way to Kumasi, you will find illegal miners on both sides of the main road mining. They are mining openly for all to see. Galamsey is ongoing in Prestea. People are still depleting our forest reserves. As I speak, you will find excavators in many forest reserves engaged in illegal mining.”
Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has launched the government’s flagship Blue Water Initiative, aimed at restoring polluted water resources.
As part of the initiative, he announced the commencement of a four-week training programme for the first batch of 460 Blue Water Guards, who will provide 24-hour monitoring and protection of the nation’s water bodies.
The minister emphasised that the Blue Water Guards will serve as vigilant stewards, safeguarding water resources from the devastating effects of illegal mining. He also revealed plans to train and deploy 2,000 guards nationwide in the coming months.
“The call for urgent action has never been more pressing. People often do not want us to say it, but this is a crisis of our lifetime. At the heart of why we are here is the Blue Water Initiative, and at the heart of this initiative is the Blue Water Guard. This aims to train 2,000 individuals across the country to protect our valuable water bodies.”
“They will serve as the frontline defenders of our water bodies and ensure that our water bodies remain a source of life and livelihood for generations to come. The responsibility of the Blue Water Guards is paramount in the fight against illegal mining,” he stated.
Click here to watch what Captain Smart said
source: Ghana Web
