Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Charles Marfo, has blamed leadership failure for the persistence of illegal mining also known as galamsey in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview with Prof S.F Gyasi on Bresosem at AbusuaFM, Prof Charles Marfo advocated drastic measures, including a “shoot and kill” approach, to combat the menace.

He said “I heard a member of Parliament saying it is time we should shoot to kill. I agree with him we should begin to look at that considering how they’ve destroyed especially Konongo Township to the extent that they’re mining on the roadside.

“What galamseyers (illegal miners) have done to us is like a lion threatening to devour our child, and we shooting to prevent it. The harm caused by galamseyers is worse than a lion attacking our child; we should begin to shoot and kill.”

He likened the actions of illegal miners to those of animals, destroying the environment and water bodies with impunity.

“They are no longer human beings; they’re animalistic. There is a say we are all animalistic, but when you allow that instinct to override your sense of humanity, you become like an animal.”

Prof. Marfo expressed frustration with the lack of commitment from leaders to address the issue, despite its devastating effects on the environment and human lives.

He emphasized “The fact that people keep engaging in illegal mining is a clear indication of leadership failure. We are doing the best we can in terms of communicating to the people about the effects of galamsey, but are we doing the right thing as a Nation? The answer is no because leadership does not care.

“If leadership cared about this galamsey, when an election is approaching the energy they used to engage the public to let them know there’s election ahead so they should all prepare to vote and crown them, they should use that same energy to talk about galamsey matters”.

Prof Marfo criticized politicians for prioritizing power over people’s welfare and for failing to include anti-galamsey measures in their manifestos.

He indicated “Haven’t you heard about the nonsense they talk about in their campaign platforms? Have you seen anywhere in their manifestos that they will end galamsey?

“I don’t see them (the govt) fighting it because if you look at their manifestos there’s nowhere that talks about how to fight galamsey. What I see is an attempt to streamline it, to do it better. Is there a better way of exploiting nature”, he quizzes.

Prof. Marfo argued that if the government is serious about fighting galamsey, it should take bold action, including deploying the military to combat the illegal activity.

“Galamsey is going on. Haven’t our leaders seen it? Those who are destroying our life, our water bodies with mercury- is such a person, not a murderer?

We have military men here. We’re not at war with any country, but we’re at war with ourselves. There’s a limited group of people who are so selfish and self-centered. Let’s mandate our military on this fight”.

He further noted that illegal mining has taken a toll on human lives, stating, ‘We know that galamsey is out to destroy the lives of humans.

“So if people say God will not destroy the world, but we will destroy it sometimes I am tempted to believe it. He said God has created this beautiful world, it would be insane on His part to say it’s judgment day and destroy everything He created. But with this our foolishness in destroying everything, He will take His part. I think that’s how it’s going to be. I am not a prophet but I can see the damage we’re doing to ourselves.”