President Mahama, what is existential threat?
Everywhere in the world, any threat to sources of water is seen as a threat to life and human existence. And no serious country will tolerate a threat to sources of water, no matter the reasons for the threat and no matter who is involved. Why is Ghana so different, Mr. President? If galamsey is threatening the very existence of the people who elected you and gave you the executive authority of…
Mr. President, the phrase 'existential threat' is used to describe a danger so severe that it could jeopardize the very existence of a group or nation. Illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, has been identified as such a threat to Ghana. Numerous studies have highlighted the destructive impact galamsey has on the Ghanaian people, highlighting its threat to their survival.
Ghana, like any other nation, recognizes the importance of safeguarding its water sources, forests, and farmlands. These resources are seen as vital to human existence, and any threat to them is met with serious attention. So, why, Mr. President, has galamsey not been effectively addressed and stopped, even after 20 months in office? Why can't the full power of the Constitution and the full force of the state be mobilized to combat this existential threat?
Despite the fact that galamsey affects about 4 million people's livelihoods, shouldn't the protection of the existence of over 30 million citizens be prioritized? Is it acceptable for the livelihood of 4 million people to threaten the existence of over 30 million? Additionally, could the 4 million people still earn a living through galamsey in other areas outside of protected zones?
The call for Mr. President to declare a state of emergency and employ emergency measures to combat galamsey has been made by campaigners. They argue that such measures are necessary to protect the existence of the nation. However, it's proposed that the 4 million affected people could still earn a living in other parts of Ghana. Therefore, the question remains, why are efforts being made to protect this group at the expense of the existence of the larger population?
Mr. President, the situation is simple. It's requested that you protect the water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands. We are not asking for the cessation of 4 million people's right to earn a living. There are ample lands available in Ghana, away from protected zones, where gold can still be extracted. But the question is, can you allow galamsey to continue to destroy our water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands?
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
