Ghanaian Lady Involved In Galamsey Slams Critics In Video: "Can You Give Me GH¢500 A Day?"
- A video of a Ghanaian lady involved in illegal mining calling out her critics has surfaced on social media
- The young lady boldly stated that she was involved in the menace and earned lots of money from the practice
- Speaking exclusively to YEN.com.gh, a Climate Activist and member of the YRE-Ghana Youth Board gave more insights on the matter
A Ghanaian lady has reignited the conversation about illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, following a video she released on social media.
In the video, the young lady boldly asserted that she was involved in galamsey activities, stressing that she would not back down from the practice.
Source: Twitter
Ghanaian lady justifies her involvement in galamsey
She justified her involvement in the menace by claiming that there were no jobs and that the galamsey business was very lucrative.
Calling out her critics, she questioned if any of them would offer her a job that could pay as much as GH¢500 a day or GH¢3,000 a month.
She also asked critics of galamsey to keep quiet since their 'noise' would not going to stop those involved from stopping galamsey work.
She further asked her critics to channel their frustration to President Nana Akufo-Addo, alleging that he is involved in the practice.
Ghanaians protest against galamsey
Illegal mining, known in local parlance as galamsey, has become an issue of great concern, following its devastating impact on the country's water bodies and land resources.
Recently, the Ghanaian Youth hit the streets to protect against the menace. There have also been several calls for the current administration to take measures to halt the menace.
However, those involved in the practice, like the young lady in the video, seem unperturbed about the menace or its environmental impact.
Watch the video below:
Climate Activist addresses young lady's comment
In an exclusive interview with YEN.com.gh, Benjamin Amenuveve, a Climate Activist and member of the Youth Board for the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE-Ghana), addressed the young lady's comment.
He acknowledged that unemployment is a major reason people go into galamsey. That notwithstanding, he said unemployment was not enough grounds to destroy the environment.
"If the minimum wage in Ghana is around 18 cedis a day, and you have mouths to feed, families to care for, and an avenue that offers over 20 times that amount, especially when you’re unemployed with no other opportunities, it's easy to see why someone might be drawn to 'galamsey'. In this case, I find it difficult to blame the woman solely. Poverty and lack of employment create desperation, and in such circumstances, many people would be tempted to pursue any avenue that offers financial relief."
"However, while I understand her reasoning, if she fully grasped the long-term implications of her actions not only for her future but for millions of other Ghanaians she might reconsider. Galamsey has devastating consequences on our water bodies, soil, and environment, leading to severe health risks and economic hardships that will last for generations. Raising awareness about these effects is crucial. One effective way to address this menace is through education and awareness campaigns that focus on the fact that the short-term financial gains do not outweigh the long-term damage being done to the environment and public health."
Netizens react to young galamsey lady's claim
The video of the young lady has since gone viral, making waves on various social media platforms, including TikTok and X. It has also generated mixed reactions from netizens who saw the post.
@efo_phil wrote:
"500 a day. 3K a month ? The maths is not making sense to me. Or she meant 30, 000."
@Lechiboroni wrote:
"Wo kasa beberee when they pick you up for questioning can you provide answers ⁉️ asem mp3 nipa kyer3."
@_phycho1 wrote:
"This is foolery tithe highest level, look at this young lady insulting the president ?? Imagine he is your father, I’m not even sure you have one you wouldn’t have gone to Galamsey in the first place."
Ghanaians hawk polluted water to protest galamsey
YEN.com.gh also reported that some Ghanaians, angry over the destruction galamsey causes, took to the streets to protest the menace.
The protesters hawked polluted sachet water to prospective buyers to demonstrate what illegal mining could have on water bodies.
Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
