Ghanaian musician Armstrong Affum, popularly known as Opanka, has blamed unemployment and alleged political involvement for the persistent fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Opanka argued that many people would not risk their lives engaging in galamsey if decent and sustainable jobs were available. According to him, illegal mining thrives largely because people are driven by survival, not choice.
“If there are jobs, people will not go into galamsey. It is deadly, and I don’t believe anyone will abandon a good job to do it,” he said.
The rapper described galamsey as a destructive activity that continues to cause serious environmental and social damage, stressing that the fight against it cannot be won unless both leaders and citizens take responsibility.
Opanka further alleged that some political leaders are complicit in the illegal mining business, claiming proceeds from galamsey are used to acquire expensive properties abroad.
He questioned how ordinary citizens would have the courage and resources to engage in large-scale illegal mining without backing from powerful individuals.
“Our leaders always promise to stop galamsey, but some of them are the financiers. They embolden these miners. That is why the fight keeps failing,” he stated.
He called for firm and honest leadership, insisting that until the country finds a balance between enforcing the law and addressing economic hardship, the galamsey menace will persist.
“People will always choose survival over national interest if they have no options. We need a middle ground, otherwise we can never win this battle,” Opanka warned.
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