The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, has rebuked politically connected individuals engaged in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, following the helicopter tragedy.
“All of those politically exposed people who are involved in galamsey, the blood of these eight is on your head. You’d better have a change of heart, repent, and step out of it. Enough is enough,” he fumed in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.
Dr. Ashigbey, who doubles as the convener for the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, urged the nation to turn grief into concrete action against galamsey.
“I am appealing to the emotions of all of us Ghanaians that we should not just weep for this case and let it pass. We should channel that into positive action. This should be a point of reflection,” he appealed.
The fatal crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Among those who perished were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, both outspoken critics of illegal mining.
They were travelling with Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman.
The rest were three military crew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The victims were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP), an initiative aimed at tackling illegal mining.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Dr. Ashigbey has emphasised the need for government to adopt concrete and decisive action against galamsey.
“We should not just deport galamseyers but make sure they pay fully for the fines stipulated and serve the full sentences that apply. We need to send a strong signal that Ghana is closing this criminal business,” he asserted.
For Dr. Ashigbey, the tragedy is a stark reminder that galamsey is not only an environmental threat but also a governance challenge, one that demands urgent and decisive action from leaders and citizens alike.
Source: Adomonine
ALSO READ:
