Rev. Fr. Joseph Kwame Blay, a researcher, priest, and community mobilizer from Jema, has vehemently condemned illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, asserting that they are motivated by selfish interests rather than the welfare of the nation or local communities.
Speaking on Point of View (PoV) on Channel One TV, Rev. Fr. Blay pointed out the harmful effects of galamsey on both communities and the environment.
He noted that galamsey should not be equated with projects like the Akosombo Dam, which benefitted the entire country.
His remarks come as residents of Jema, his local community in the Western North region, have firmly opposed any attempts to exploit their land for mining.
Rev. Fr. Blay told host Bernard Avle, “The irony is that those claiming to create jobs for the youth are disregarding the fact that the youth already have work. Our work is cocoa, and what you’re offering is merely someone else’s selfish endeavor.”
“Galamsey or mining is not like building the Akosombo Dam. When Kwame Nkrumah was building the Akosombo Dam, it was something of national interest going to serve the whole nation.
“So even if the communities there are against it, the government has the power to take that land by force because there is a greater need. But here, all those who are mining are just individual selfish needs. The one producing cocoa is helping the economy.” he stated.
