Veteran Ghanaian comedian and media personality, Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), has expressed serious concern over the escalating damage caused by illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in Ghana. Speaking on his YouTube channel, KSM highlighted the growing unrest in mining communities, where frustrated youth are increasingly confronting illegal miners, marking a shift in public response to the issue.

“I am living in terrific anxiety. I'm scared. There is so much turbulence in this country. The galamsey havoc that is wrecking this nation is causing so much anxiety.

“Have you read how the youth are now charging on the illegal miners? They have decided, no, enough is enough. In the mining lands, the youth are now up in arms,” he said.

As the country gears up for its December 2024 elections, KSM warned that the galamsey crisis is adding to the tension and unrest across Ghana.

“There is turbulence in this country. I'm saying this because in a few days away, or let me say months away, we are coming up with a very crucial, historic election. And that is all adding to the tension in this country,” he added.

He stressed that addressing this environmental and social threat is not just a political or tribal issue but a national emergency that affects the well-being and future of all Ghanaians.

KSM's concerns align with those of other prominent figures, including musicians Stonebwoy, Rocky Dawuni, and Tic Tac, who have also voiced alarm over the environmental degradation caused by galamsey. Despite ongoing efforts by the Ghanaian government, including military interventions and increased regulation, illegal mining continues to devastate large swaths of the nation's forests, driven by factors like corruption, weak enforcement, and economic hardship.

In addition to illegal mining, other pressures such as agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and infrastructure development further exacerbate the destruction of Ghana’s forests, threatening the country’s rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of its citizens.

What is ‘galamsey’

Illegal mining, known locally as ‘galamsey,’ is causing significant deforestation in Ghana, with seven of the country's 16 regions and 34 forest reserves affected, totalling an area of 4,726 hectares.

The Ghana Forestry Commission has said it is intensifying efforts to combat this issue, including military operations and seeking additional funding.

However, despite revised laws and protective measures, challenges such as weak law enforcement, corruption, and unemployment contribute to ongoing deforestation.

Other factors like agricultural expansion, illegal logging, forest fires, overgrazing, and infrastructure development also play a role in the loss of Ghana's biodiverse tropical forests.

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Galamsey menace: I'm living with intense anxiety - KSMKudus | Accra Mall | Nana Kwame Bediako | Shatta Wale | Bernard Mornah | Electoral Commission | Essien | #tigpost pic.twitter.com/JKxjIyaZKE— TIG Post (@tigpost_) September 20, 2024