The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has thrown its full support behind Organised Labour’s bold decision to take a stand against both legal and illegal scale mining ‘Galamsey’.
In a statement, AYA praised Organised Labour for prioritizing the protection of the environment and communities, calling for immediate action to halt the ongoing devastation caused by illegal mining in the Ashanti Region.
The Asanteman youth group raised serious concerns over the widespread environmental damage caused by galamsey activities, which have wreaked havoc on the region’s forest reserves, water bodies, and public health. Communities such as Obuasi and Manso have borne the brunt of these destructive practices, with local water sources now heavily contaminated by toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, endangering the health of residents.
According to AYA, galamsey has left lasting scars on the region, with research predicting that within two years, Obuasi may no longer have access to clean drinking water. Additionally, the Manso enclave faces a projected surge in cancer cases over the next seven years, which experts link directly to the pollution from illegal mining.
In light of these alarming findings, the Asante Youth Association issued a series of urgent demands aimed at curbing the ongoing galamsey crisis.
The group is calling for the immediate dismissal of several top officials, including the Ashanti Regional Managers of the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission, along with their district counterparts, for their failure to protect the region’s natural resources.
“These officials have allowed illegal mining to flourish under their watch, and they must be held accountable,” the statement read.
The youth association further appealed to the government to strengthen the Water Resources Management Unit in the Ashanti Region.
AYA emphasized the need for significant investment in this unit, including decentralizing the offices of the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, and Water Resources Management across all districts.
The association called for these offices to be adequately resourced and empowered to combat illegal mining operations more effectively.
AYA warned that if the government does not act swiftly to address the situation, they will be forced to take “positive defiance” actions against the negligent officials.
“We cannot stand by as our environment, health, and future are destroyed. It is time to put an end to galamsey and safeguard the well-being of our communities,” AYA stated emphatically.
The Asante Youth Association’s call to action underscores the urgent need for comprehensive government intervention to stop the spread of galamsey, as concerns about environmental degradation and public health grow in the region.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Isaac Justice Bediako