"Rivers Die While CSOs Debate Airport Names": John Awuah Slams Galamsey Response as Political Gimmickry

John Awuah, the President of the Ghana Association of Banks, has issued a scathing indictment of the nation's ongoing struggle against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. In a series of pointed remarks, Awuah characterized the government’s various interventions as ineffective political maneuvers and criticized civil society organizations (CSOs) for what he described as a failure of leadership and misplaced priorities. He warned that the persistence of galamsey constitutes an existential threat to the country, highlighting that despite numerous state-led efforts, Ghana's vital water bodies remain heavily polluted and poisoned.

Developing his critique of the government, Awuah targeted a long list of state-sponsored task forces and initiatives, including Operation Vanguard, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Blue Water Guards, and the National Assay and Information Management System (NAIMOS). He labeled these programs as "expensive political creations" that have yielded "complete non-performance" and "next to nothing" in terms of actual results. The banker questioned the genuine intent behind these measures, suggesting they often serve as political gimmicks intended to placate the public rather than solve the deep-rooted environmental crisis.

Awuah further extended his criticism to Ghana’s civil society and national institutions, accusing them of losing their "moral voice." He noted with disappointment that many CSOs appear more focused on media-heavy, trivial debates—such as the potential renaming of Kotoka International Airport—than on the life-threatening reality of environmental destruction. He urged these organizations to move beyond "hollow noise" and media appearances toward genuine activism that produces tangible outcomes. While he lamented the silence of various national and religious bodies, he did single out journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and the Multimedia Group for praise, citing their commitment to developmental journalism in exposing the mining crisis.

In his closing remarks, Awuah cautioned against the national fixation on gold revenue at the expense of public health and environmental sustainability. He emphasized that the economic gains from gold exports are misguided if they lead to a poisoned landscape and a health crisis for future generations. Calling for a unified and relentless national effort, he urged citizens and institutions to maintain sustained pressure on the government to ensure that the fight against illegal mining is treated with the seriousness it deserves, prioritizing the preservation of life and nature over short-term political or economic interests.