By King Amoah
Ghana’s relentless battle against illegal small scale mining popularly known as galamsey can finally be won if a Special National Committee is instituted to address the menace, Apostle Kwaku Appiah a prominent Minister of God in Kumasi has disclosed.
Apostle Appiah who is the Head Pastor of the Faith Outreach Ministries at Oforikrom – Anlonga alleged that political partisanship has been the bane that have prevented efforts to apply neutral mechanism to end the galamsey practice in the country.
Speaking to the correspondent in an exclusive interview Apostle Appiah made an urgent suggestion for the establishment of a Special National Committee that could be tasked with the responsibilities to address the galamsey menance.
He disclosed that the proposed Special National Committee should involve a diverse array of influential personalities like seasoned pastors, chiefs, security, media, judiciary, politicians, among others.
The fundamental conditions for the committee’s success, he stressed is that its members should remain neutral without involving themselves in partisan politics.
To bring this proposed solution to fruition, the clergyman called for President John Dramani’s endorsement to form such a multi stakeholder body.
Apostle Appiah believes that this endorsement would lend the necessary gravity and authority to the committee to function effectively without political interference that has plagued past initiatives.
He commended both the previous and present administrations for their efforts and strategies put in place to tackle the galamsey.
He acknowledged that they were on the right way to solve the problem, yet political issues never allow them to function as expected to win the fight.
He said it is against this backdrop that he is advocating for a Special National Committee where all stakeholders can genuinely address the issues without political influence.
Beyond the immediate crisis of the galamsey Apostle Kwaku Appiah voiced out his concerns over Ghana’s recurring inability to solve its own problems.
He expressed worry that Ghanaians always fail to solve their own problems instead find avenues to push blame on others whilst the same problems remained unsolved.
He urged for a fundamental shift in attitude and advised that it is time we should refrain from such negative attitudes and instead stand bold to find solutions to our predicaments.
According to him even a child can recognize problems surrounded him.
The man of God suggested that the best way to curb the galamsey issue is for the government to establish this special National Committee, rather than continuously pushing blames on either party A or party B.
He stressed that Ghana possesses the capacity to apply pragmatic measures to address its own challenges if citizens prepare to change their mindset and remain resolute.
I always feel disappointed when we extend help from the outside to come and solve our problems whereas we can solve it ourselves, Apostle Appiah pointed out .
He hopes that his suggestion would be taken seriously and implemented for the benefit of the entire country.
Apostle Kwaku Appiah’s proposal offers a strategic blend of national unity, expert involvement, and political neutrality that potentially provide the breakthrough that Ghana needs in its ongoing war against galamsey.
