The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has condemned the rampant and irresponsible destruction of our nation’s water bodies, forest cover, and environment in the name of illegal mining (galamsey) for monetary gains.
According to PRINPAG in a statement, this wanton environmental devastation, driven by greed, is a grave threat to the well-being of the Ghanaian people and the future of our country.
In view of the seriousness and the devastating nature of the menace, the leadership of PRINPAG is calling on all its members to join the national crusade against galamsey activities, which can serve as a recipe for disaster for us as a country if not nipped in the bud now.
PRINPAG therefore urged its members to take a firm and dispassionate stand against the practice as part of collective effort to stop this menace, which has become a significant threat to the survival of communities and the preservation of Ghana’s natural resources and the environment.
As part of PRINPAG’s commitment to this cause, we are encouraging all our members to expose individuals and groups who are complicit in these illegal activities, we are urging our members to publish the names and pictures of those involved in galamsey on the front pages of their newspapers and to give these prominence on their news websites, holding these social miscreants and deviants accountable to the public.
PRINPAG stressed that, in order for this agenda to succeed it is crucial that, members resist any form of influences, whether monetary or otherwise, that could compromise efforts as accepting such inducements would undermine PRINPAG’s contribution to the fight against galamsey, and the collective effort to protect the environment.
PRINPAG also call on Parliament to demonstrate leadership in this fight, as exemplified by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and to act without partisanship, considering only the long-term welfare of the nation. The leadership of PRINPAG believes that, with unity and focus, Ghana can win this fight against galamsey.
They also called on state institutions to act responsibly in mitigating environmental destruction.
We urge the strict enforcement of laws that govern environmental sustainability, economic development, and growth. Additionally, technology should be leveraged to address the environmental challenges posed by certain investment activities.
According to PRINPAG, its members will in the coming days and weeks actively engage in a “naming and shaming” campaign to expose all those who are involved in illegal mining activities in the country, regardless of their position or influence in society. This is a necessary step to ensure accountability and to show that, no one is above the law.
While we fully support the national effort to help curb this menace, which has become a canker hanging around our necks, the national leadership of PRINPAG is also issuing a stern warning to any member found to be directly involved in galamsey, as such individuals will be expelled from the Association in accordance with our Constitution.