As much as the government of Ghana joined the rest of the world to plant 10 million trees to observe World Environmental Day, a group of civil society groups namely A Rocha Ghana, Youth Alliance for Green Ghana and Ghana, Ignite Youth Network Ghana, Youth Climate Council Ghana and others have expressed dissatisfaction about how illegal mining activities have destroyed the water bodies and the environment.
According to them, the illegal activities (galamsey) have destroyed the water bodies and the forest which has recently resulted in a high rate of non-communicable diseases among the youth.
Therefore, they are calling on the government to find a long-lasting solution to this menace to protect and preserve the forest and water bodies for generations yet unborn.
Addressing a press conference earlier on Friday June 9, 2023, the National Director for Youth Alliance for Green Ghana, Kenneth Agyir noted that Galamsey is not only polluting our water bodies and farmlands but also posed a serious threat to the health and well-being of the good people of this country, with its accompanying damages to the environment transcending generations.
He said the one day set aside to celebrate Green Ghana Day is not helpful since there are a series of challenges hovering around the environment, hence government must extend the one day to be able to resolve some environmental challenges.
The group also called on the government to enforce the laws that regulate mining activities in the country and crack the whip on those who flout them even with persons within the government in demonstration of its real commitment to greening Ghana agenda.
He seized the opportunity to call on Ghanaians to work together to protect our environment in order to secure a sustainable future for generations yet unborn.
