Discussing about the tragic death of our eight heros who died on 6th of August, 2025 which became one of the darkest days in Ghana’s history, these fallen heros, some were government officials, security agents and political leaders.

The defense and environment ministers, who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash when they were travelling to an event in Obuasi aimed at confronting illegal mining, will their ghosts be happy seeing the canker persisting despite losing their lives?

One year after the tragic incident, what lesson has the Country learnt against illegal mining that continues to ravage natural resources.

Despite initial efforts, now galamsey miners are operating in forest reserves, near schools and even directly in front of police station.

There is lack of enforcement from authorities and also the Ghana police service.

Also water bodies such as the River Pra, and the Birim river remain severely polluted.

The best solution to end galamsey is for the president to hold local leaders, security forces and appointees accountable for the inaction.

Galamsey is no longer just a livelihood issue but a national security threat that could invite instability, loss of lives, desertification, destruction of water bodies, climate change, hike in kidney and liver diseases ,land degradation and undermine Ghana’s economy.

The drastic measures to apply before things get out of hand are committing prospective and exploited sites to the nearest police stations, intensify public awareness, align death sentence to galamsey offenders, strip off possessions of offenders to correct the mess and the various associations, organizations, CSOs and other groups should stage anti-galamsey activities and push backs.

With such strong approaches lives and properties will be saved.

by ATUAHENE HANNAH BIRAGO