Editorial
Let’s fight ‘galamsey’ head-on
Illegal small-scale mining, known as ‘galamsey,’ is wreaking havoc on our communities and environment. It is imperative that we act now to put an end to this practice before future generations suffer as a result.
Galamsey has significantly contributed to habitat destruction, devastation of farmlands, and pollution of the air, water, and soil.
Horrifying sights of stillborn newborns with malformations in galamsey locations are all attributed to galamsey in Ghana.
Many health problems, including cancer, mercury poisoning, and respiratory disorders, are brought on by the pollution of our water bodies, which makes it difficult for people to access clean drinking water.
Mosquitoes are thriving in the runoff water from abandoned mine holes because of the deteriorating environment. As a result, Ghana’s natural beauty has declined.
Galamsey is primarily to blame for Ghana’s low food production, fluctuations in food prices, and high cost of living, particularly in areas where the practice is common as it displaces farmers.
Unfortunately, it appears that the more we discuss this subject, the more ‘galamseyers’ engage in their illicit operations with impunity, seriously harming the environment in the process. This is what makes the situation so unsettling.
It is clear that people who participate in the practice have no regard for the tremendous harm their acts cause to the environment and local residents’ health, among other things. Their only concern is maximising their profits at the expense of others.
In fact, tourists looking for sustainable destinations may be discouraged by these detrimental effects on the environment which is endangering both the current and the future generations.
What kind of legacy are we leaving for future generations, and where is Ghana headed?
The Spectator is pleading with the authorities to act right now because these illicit operations are endangering the health and safety of the communities around them and nobody is safe.
There are more people going into galamsey, and those who do so say there are no jobs available. Even women can occasionally be drawn into galamsey, despite the fact that it is typically associated with men.
According to available data, the threat of galamsey is linked to child fatalities, cognitive impairments that impair children’s ability to learn, and congenital malformations. We are therefore pushing for more research on the detrimental effects of galamsey on women’s and children’s health.
We hope the government will create more job opportunities for the youth.
We also implore the government to collaborate with religious bodies, Civil Society Organisations, traditional authoritis, communities among others to take urgent steps to fight the menace of galamsey, especially by upholding the legislation that forbids it in order to create a healthy environment for all.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
