Mr Kenneth Ashigbey has called on the Media Coalition against Galamsey to name and shame all parties complicit to illegal mining in the country.
Speaking to media houses present at the launch of the “#LetsStopGalamsey” campaign, the MD for Graphic Communication group Ltd. lamented that Chiefs who are supposed to be the custodians of our lands are either accomplice, actively engage, incompetent or complacent and are sitting by watching galamsey go on at their backyard.
He therefore called on the media to name and shame any political leader, traditional leader or public official who is an accomplice to galamsey operation in the country.
“We need to shine light on all of these people. Naming and Shaming is going to be the name of the game. That is what we are here to do today and I call on all of us that, this time let us keep the pressure on till a change happens. Till we are able to now put a cup in the Birim, a cap in the Tano, a cap in the Pra, a cap in Ankobra and in the Densu, to drink from other wise our job is not done.” Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey charges the media.
As a Media coalition made up of the Graphic Communication Group Ltd, Ghana Independent Broadcaster’s Association, PRINPAG, New Times Corporation, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghana Journalists Association and supported by the Christian Council of Ghana, it aims at attracting a concerted effort by all media houses sharing stories sharing research, sharing investigations and putting the necessary pressure on government to take action.
The President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Mr. Akwasi Agyeman at the launch also outlined the action plan for the campaign as follows;
• Embark on a one million signature petition to be presented to the President, the speaker of parliament and the Chief Justice edging them to take action.
• Get all relevant stakeholders to buy in to the campaign and pledge their actions.
• To bring Ghana to a lock down to get the media to highlight the dangers of galamsey.
• Town Hall meetings at various locations where galamsey is practiced to educate on how the act is killing people slowly. Specifically Takwa, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Kyebi and other areas in the Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions and the Ashanti region.
• Embark on governance dialogue with all key stakeholders to come up with solutions.
“Our end game is that galamsey to be stopped so if it will take 2 days, it will take 6 months, if it will take 1 year, the coalition will pile up the pressure on those who are to take the action”.
A steering committee was formed by the coalition to ensure their activities are streamlined, and safeguard the survival of the campaign till galamsey is stopped.
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