By King Amoah, Tarkwa – W/R
As a mining student residing in Tarkwa, a town that epitomizes the delicate balance between resource extraction and environmental sustainability, I am compelled to voice my concern regarding the rampant corruption within our legislative frameworks, student Wilberforce Anderson has disclosed.
The ongoing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities has reached alarming levels, and it is high time that we hold our legislators accountable for their role in fostering an environment where these activities thrive.
Wilberforce Anderson in a lively chat with our Environmental correspondent at Tarkwa in the Western region over the weekend, observed that corruption has long been a blight on our political landscape.
Which erodes public trust, undermines economic growth, and devastates our natural resources.
The student said as the nation grapples with the impacts of illegal mining, particularly in the Western Region, it is evident that the lack of accountability of some legislators contributes significantly to this crisis.
Many of them turn a blind eye or even collude with illegal miners, prioritizing personal gains over the wellbeing of our environment and communities.
Wilberforce Anderson hinted that illegal mining operations, often referred to by the local term “Galamsey,” pose a serious threat to our land and water resources.
He stressed that these activities lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution of rivers, which are crucial for the livelihoods of many in our region adding that.the legal mining sector, which operates under strict regulations and is essential for the economy, is also adversely affected when illegal mining dominates the landscape.
According to him the connections and influence of corrupt legislators often shield these illegal activities from the law.
We cannot afford to sit back and watch as our environment and communities suffer. It is time for a paradigm shift in how we approach legislation concerning mining and environmental protection.
Anderson related that advocating for the arrest and prosecution of legislators who have turned a blind eye to or facilitated these corrupt practices is not merely about punishment; it is about setting a precedent.
We must show that accountability is paramount when it comes to safeguarding our natural resources and ensuring fair competition in the mining industry.
He contemplated that such actions will also serve as a deterrent to others who may think that they can exploit their positions for nefarious purposes.
The message should be clear corruption will not be tolerated, and those in power must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability, Wilberforce Anderson told the correspondent.
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