Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-San Law Firm, Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah, has voiced his discontent regarding the recent protests against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
During a press conference held in Accra, he criticized the timing of these demonstrations, suggesting they are politically motivated and poorly timed as the nation approaches a critical election period.
Lawyer Juanah pointed out that with less than three months remaining in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s term, effective solutions to the galamsey crisis are unlikely.
“This is not the right time to stop galamsey. The water bodies started turning brown a long time ago,” he stated, emphasizing that the urgency of the situation has been overlooked.
Various advocacy groups, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), churches, and political leaders have organized protests to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies.
However, Lawyer Juanah contended that these protests are too late and serve more as platforms for political ambitions rather than genuine efforts to address the issue.
“All these are politically motivated. Why do we want to take advantage of this short time to establish our political ambitions? It is irresponsible and it is not right,” he remarked.
He expressed particular disappointment in churches participating in protests, arguing that there is no biblical basis for church leaders to organize such events.
“Where in the Bible has it been written that church leaders can organize a prayer protest?” he questioned.
Lawyer Juanah called for a more strategic approach to tackling galamsey rather than relying on protests.
He urged Ghanaians and political leaders to focus on realistic solutions rather than politicizing the issue.
“We need a strategic plan to find out how, where, and why it is going on. We are all part of the problem,” he highlighted.
In closing, Lawyer Juanah urged citizens to select leaders committed to addressing the galamsey crisis effectively, stressing that this national issue requires collective responsibility and action devoid of political agendas.