The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has challenged journalists to renew their campaign against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said the interest the media had in reporting on galamsey activities has dropped.
He made the comments during the World Press Freedom Day 2024 commemoration at the Koforidua Technical University on Friday, May 3.
He was of the view that if duty-bearers had continued their efforts towards the fight against illegal mining, our water bodies would be in better condition than what we see now.
“The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country. In that regard, we wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’.
“In the past, our collective action in the fight against ‘galamsey’ yielded positive results, as we brought the issues to national attention for action.
“But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed, and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now. That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”
He continued: “Apart from ‘galamsey’, the GJA wishes to call on the media to focus on and address other environmental issues such as sanitation and climate change. We will soon announce a comprehensive agenda on these environmental concerns.
To authorities he said: “We also urge duty bearers to accept responsibility by taking significant actions to combat this scourge, such as deforestation, which has the potential to devastate our land,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline com/Ghana
