Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has weighed in on the recent electoral defeat of some Members of Parliament (MPs), including Mireku Duker, who have attempted to attribute their loss to the government’s stance on illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
In a Facebook post, Awuni challenged this narrative, claiming that the defeat of these MPs had little to do with the government’s anti-galamsey policies.
“I agree with Winston Amoah on #JoyNews that the likes of Mireku Duker cannot blame their defeat on the fight against illegal mining,” Awuni stated, offering his perspective on the ongoing political conversation.
He explained that the MPs who lost their seats were never genuinely aggressive toward illegal mining due to political considerations.
According to Awuni, the fight against galamsey was largely not pursued vigorously by these MPs, as they often prioritized political expediency over addressing the environmental and social destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
In his post, the journalist pointed out that the real victims of galamsey are the residents of mining-affected communities.
“The victims of illegal miners in those communities could register their anger against the government’s inaction,” he added.
“These communities have long struggled with the devastating effects of galamsey, from land degradation to polluted water bodies, while politicians, including those in power, have turned a blind eye.
Awuni also highlighted a significant disconnect between the government and the people suffering the consequences of illegal mining.
He asserted that if foreigners, especially Chinese nationals, were allowed to invade communities without consequence, the government’s failure to intervene would inevitably breed anger among locals.
“If Chinese and other foreigners invade a community and the government does nothing about the destruction of their lands, water bodies, and livelihoods, we cannot pretend that the defeat is because of the government’s fight,” he said.
Furthermore, Awuni argued that many of the politicians involved in galamsey are based in urban centers like Accra or Kumasi, far from the areas directly affected by the mining. He noted that the financiers of illegal mining operations often do not live in the communities that bear the brunt of the environmental destruction.
“Many politicians were actually involved in illegal mining and the people know it. The financiers of galamsey are mainly in Accra or Kumasi. They don’t live in those communities,” Awuni remarked, pointing to the widespread knowledge among the public about the complicity of certain individuals.
