An illegal miner who escaped from a location in response to law enforcement threats has vowed to commit robbery and murder.

A young man who asserts he has halted his illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, has issued threats of murder, violence, and robbery in retaliation against law enforcement. In a video he recorded and shared online, he displays his mining equipment, claiming he brought it home because of the intensified crackdown on illegal mining, and expresses frustration that his machines will soon be rendered useless.

 You foolish people who think you’re ending galamsey, these are my machines that I no longer need. I will come to rob and kill you one by one. I will stand by the roadside and take your money. You, Nana Addo, claiming you're stopping galamsey—let’s see you do it.

 he declared angrily.

In response to recent protests and mounting public pressure regarding the galamsey crisis in Ghana, the government has ramped up its enforcement efforts. President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the deployment of police and military forces to tackle the escalating issue. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes stringent enforcement in key areas like water bodies and forest reserves, referred to as "Red Zones," where mining activities are strictly forbidden.

In the meantime, many social media users are urging the Ghana Police Service to arrest the young man immediately. Security agencies have been empowered to implement significant measures, including disabling illegal mining equipment and enforcing stricter laws as mandated by the government. This decision arose from a national security meeting that addressed the environmental and social impacts of galamsey. The government faces pressure from various stakeholders, including organized labor groups, to take strong actions, which may even include the possibility of nationwide strikes.

The illegal small-scale mining activities, or galamsey, have severely contaminated critical water bodies such as the Pra, Birim, and Ankobra rivers, resulting in significant environmental and public health crises in Ghana. Toxic substances, including mercury used in gold extraction, have polluted these rivers, which serve as vital water sources for local communities. This contamination poses serious health risks, including mercury poisoning, which can lead to neurological disorders, particularly among children.

Moreover, the pollution has devastated aquatic life and rendered the water unsafe for consumption, jeopardizing the health and livelihoods of residents in the affected areas. Ecosystems are at risk due to the environmental degradation caused by galamsey, which also contributes to long-term social and economic instability in Ghana.

Credit:Pulse,EdHub.