Some of those participating seem unconcerned despite the country’s ongoing discussions about unlawful mining.
As evidenced by a recent video, some of them have not been deterred by the government’s threats in the wake of the ongoing trial of “galamsey” mastermind Aisha Huang.
“Akufo-Addo, I hope you can see us. We are working at night,” the workers indicated in the TikTok video.
Once the soil has been transferred to another machine, some of the recalcitrants can be observed ranting while scrubbing it with water.
The viral video makes clear the willful destruction of the environment.
“If our machine is seized, we will use our hands in the washing. Everybody gets work to do. You can make ¢500 in one day. Which of your workers do you pay ¢500 a day?” the voice is heard asking.
The man heard to be filming the scene mocked the task force said to be investigating the locations of these sites.
“Look at this, work is ongoing,” he said in the video.
“We cannot stop this work. This is the school we attended,” he added while expressing confidence that there is no way the task force can locate them.
However, it is unclear exactly where the action was taking place.
The government’s anti-galamsey policies and initiatives have drawn criticism, and some have questioned the government’s commitment to eliminating the threat.
The Asantehene criticized the Akufo-Addo administration last week, saying the hyped-up conflict is surrounded by lies.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II asserts that the battle would remain a sham unless the right people—particularly financiers—who are accountable for the scourge of illegal mining are discovered.
“Are they saying they don’t know those behind galamsey in Ghana? The gold ends up being sold abroad. So who is behind the sale of gold abroad? Is it not the financier? How come he is not arrested?”
