Erastus Asare Donkor, an investigative journalist, says he has no regrets about focussing his lens on illegal mining activities despite the numerous risks.
Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor says he has no regrets focusing his lenses on illegal mining activities despite the numerous risks.
The award-winning journalist posited that he sees this as a national agenda with the aim of exposing illegal mining activities.
He revealed that there have been instances where he had come under threats due to his reportage on galamsey.
The threats, he said, have been extended to his wife through social media, with some people threatening to kill her.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, ”I have no regrets about reporting on illegal mining, which I have dedicated myself to. I am grateful to God for protecting me. I acknowledge that the job is risky and the threats are real. The risk I am referring to is not trivial. Those who accumulate billions from illegal mining will inevitably be exposed through reportage, leading to their arrest and confiscation of equipment, thereby placing reporters at risk.
They will seek to harm them. I have received such threats, including messages sent to my wife’s Facebook page, threatening both of us. Some have even wished me dead, sending messages praying for my demise while reporting on galamsey. I have also received threatening phone calls from unidentified individuals.”
He was adamant that selfish individuals should not be allowed to continue destroying our water bodies and posing existential threats to the entire country.
He stated that illegal mining activities have caused severe harm to Ghanaians’ health and well-being, particularly those living in affected areas, with babies born with deformities.
When asked if the state had provided any form of protection given the risks associated with his work, he stated, “The state has not provided any form of protection. Nobody has called to offer to assign a police officer or a soldier to protect me. God is the one who protects me”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
