Statesman Nyaho Nyaho‑Tamakloe Issues Stark Warning on Galamsey Crisis
Veteran politician and statesman Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has sounded the alarm on the escalating menace of illegal small-scale mining (commonly known as galamsey) in Ghana, describing it as a “cancer destroying our country” and calling on the government to treat it as a national emergency.
Alarming Findings & Strong Words
In a recent address, Nyaho-Tamakloe recounted his observations of rivers turned to lifeless streams, forests ripped apart, and farmland rendered infertile. He pointed out that communities once reliant on clean water now depend on polluted sources, and warned that unless decisive action is taken, the damage may become irreversible.
He stated: “Galamsey is not only a crime against the state, it is a crime against the soul of Ghana.”
Critique of Government Will & Political Interference
Nyaho-Tamakloe was especially critical of the government’s approach, describing it as gradual and half-hearted. He argued that the security services, particularly the Ghana Armed Forces, have the capacity to halt the menace within a week — provided they are allowed to operate without political interference.
He remarked:
“I can assure you that the military will stop galamsey in one week if they are given the task without political influence.”
Proposed Roadmap for Action
Nyaho-Tamakloe put forward several key recommendations to stem the tide of galamsey:
- Declare a national state of emergency on galamsey so the response is immediate and full-scale.
- Depoliticise enforcement, allowing the security agencies to act independently and without interference.
- Hold all actors accountable—from financiers and traditional leaders to government officials—so no one is beyond the law.
- Restore and rehabilitate degraded land and rivers through reclamation and reforestation efforts.
- Provide alternative livelihoods for young people engaged in galamsey out of economic desperation.
Why the Urgency?
The concerns Nyaho-Tamakloe raises are grounded in dire socio-economic and environmental outcomes:
- Rivers such as the Pra River, Birim River and Ankobra River have seen devastating pollution and loss of life in their waters.
- Contamination of food chains through mercury and toxic chemicals has entered farms and waterways, posing long-term health risks.
- Social and economic fabric is under strain: communities face displacement, health impacts and the loss of future potential if the damage is not reversed.
What Next?
Nyaho-Tamakloe’s message is clear: Ghana cannot wait. He calls on every citizen—chiefs, faith leaders, civil society, the media—to refuse silence and take up the mantle of accountability and action. “Silence is complicity. Neutrality is betrayal,” he warns.
Whether the government will respond with the level of urgency the statesman is demanding remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the call to action is loud, and the clock is ticking.