Farm Radio International Ghana , a non profit organization dedicated to leveraging the power of radio for agricultural and rural development has called for concerted efforts to halt activities of Illegal miners to safeguard Ghana’sAgriculture and Rural Livelihoods.
The activities of illegal miners popularly known as ‘galamsey’have reached a point
where the lives of citizens are being threatened.
Water bodies have been polluted with
residues of heavy metals beyond treatment, while arable lands in many parts of the country have been left redundant, not to mention aquatic lives in a lot of rivers.
“The existential threat faced by many residents who live very close to these illegal mining sites, is one that is of major concern to us as an organization”, the NGO stated this through statement.
Through our work, Farm Radio International interfaces with many of our hard working citizens, who are predominantly farmers, and the level of pollution and devastation to their
lands is one that hurts, and needs serious attention to reverse the current trend, the statement noted.
The statement added that the environmental and socio-economic consequences threaten sustainable
agriculture, food security, and livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians.
As an organization that champions the voice of small-scale farmers, we stand with rural communities who are struggling to protect their lands and livelihoods from the harmful effects of illegal mining.
Our farmers are the backbone of the nation’s food systems, and it is critical that urgent action is taken to safeguard their future.
The NGO urges the government, civil society, media, and all stakeholders to collaborate in combating illegal mining, ensuring stricter environmental laws, and providing sustainable alternatives.
Source: yagbonradioonline
