Efia Odo has criticised Ghana’s political leadership over the country’s long-running illegal mining crisis, as she argued that the destruction caused by galamsey cannot continue without accountability at the highest levels.
The actress and social commentator alleged that the illegal mining industry is being sustained by a powerful network of influential people who operate behind the scenes.
According to her, efforts to tackle galamsey will remain ineffective unless those allegedly facilitating and benefiting from the practice are identified and held accountable.
Efia Odo also questioned the commitment of successive governments to ending the menace, accusing both the NDC and NPP of failing to match their promises with meaningful action.
She argued that Ghana’s leaders cannot be unaware of the extent of the damage being caused to the country’s water bodies and environment.
“There’s no way our leaders are blind to the damage galamsey is doing to our water bodies,” she said.
In her view, both major political parties have repeatedly campaigned on promises to fight illegal mining, only for the urgency surrounding the issue to diminish when they assume power.
“If they can see the destruction, why does their response never match the scale of the crisis?” she questioned.
Efia Odo’s comments come amid growing public concern over the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s rivers, forests and livelihoods, with renewed calls for stronger enforcement and accountability.
She maintained that the country’s galamsey crisis requires more than political promises, insisting that meaningful action must extend to the individuals and networks allegedly driving the illegal mining activities.
