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The Echoes of History: Galamsey and the Legacy of Collective Amnesia

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The recent public outrage over the rampant illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, has brought to light serious questions about the collective amnesia of our leaders—those who are entrusted with safeguarding our welfare and the future of coming generations.

It has been over two centuries since the abolitionists’ global outcry led to the outlawing of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a grievous era that severely depopulated many African states and societies. Today, one would hope that the lingering effects of the slave trade—rooted in the greed and complicity of our elders and traditional leaders—are confined to history textbooks as an unforgivable act.

As the adage goes, “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Before the arrival of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, African states, both large and small, engaged in trade with fellow Africans and foreign merchants—Arabs and Europeans—on equal terms. However, as the slave trade expanded to meet European demands for labor to colonize the so-called “New World,” African rulers integrated their political economy into the slave trade. In exchange for European goods imported from the Far East, they sold their own people, leading to a loss of prominence and equality that had characterized early encounters with Europe.

Today, Europe boasts of banks and financial firms that originated as charter companies during the slave trade. But what do Ghana and its fellow African states have to show for compromising their integrity and values, leading to prolonged subjugation even after the slave trade ended?

The environmental degradation caused by rampant illegal mining in Ghana echoes this troubling history. The devastation of rivers, forests, and lands due to galamsey is a modern reflection of past mistakes. It’s high time we hold our leaders accountable for allowing these egregious acts to continue. The stakes are too high to remain passive observers.

Our leaders must wake up from this collective amnesia and take decisive action to protect our environment and our future. It’s imperative to learn from history, not repeat its darkest chapters.

The time for accountability and change is now. Our rivers, lands, and communities depend on it.

Source : Ismael Montana, Ph.D
Professor of History
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb IL, USA

3 Comments

  1. Caresse Ethel Adongo

    Insight from the history Prof. The time to add our voices for action and accountability for our valuable natural resources is now.

  2. Kaysman

    The truth about Ghana is greed. The opposition NDC and their Leaders have made it clear with figures that they support Galamsey. Mahama has said it time and again and further supported with figures openly why he supports Galamsey. He further promised to release prisoners jailed as a result of Galamsey. Kwaku Boohene and Dr Aubynn both of the NDC are in a video asking Galamseyers to report at the Galamsey sites to continue working had NDC won the elections in 2020. Their 76 year old Vice Presidential candidate a couple of days ago openly supported Galamsey. Their actions resulted in the NPP losing lots of seats in their stronghold during the previous election.

    Learning from all these, the NPP have no option than to also go that way or else lose their stronghold. Remember the population involved in Galamsey is around 5,000,000.

    The result is what we are having now. The pollution of our water bodies and destruction of our Forest covers.

    We are truly in deep “sh*t” excuse my language.

    Unfortunately, instead of the masses strongly condemning the actions first of John Mahama’s NDC and also the NPP, the NDC’s committed over 40% committed voters are not prepared to condemn their leaders for such selfish and greedy politics. This has therefore made it difficult for the committed NPP supporters to also blame their leaders.

    The NDC supporters think it is their turn to govern because they assume it is an eight year cycle the country practices. The NPP on the other hand believe they can break this eight year cycle of governance. Each party working hard to impress and attract the around 5 million Galamsey voters.
    Ghana is in a very big trouble and our greedy leaders are to blame
    Unfortunately the intellectuals are worse. I say so because recently some Lecturers supporting John Mahama came out openly condemning Galamsey and thus condemning the Government for its inability to stop it. Personally I find this as complete double standards because you cannot eat your cake and have it. You are condemning the very thing your own leaders support with figures. I just don’t get it.
    Some other lectures describe the actions of their fellow Lecturers supporting the NDC as “Greedy Bastards” who only want to take advantage of the political season and be seen and recognized for future appointments should NDC win the elections.
    In any case we live to see what happens to the issue of Galamsey before and after the elections.

  3. Hellen Memunatu Alobah

    Pfro. Congratulations for that piece. Our leaders are so shortsighted that their vision focuses on only the well-being of themselves and those around them but forgetting the welfare of the ghanaian people who has made them whom they are. The fight against galamsey continue. Aluta Continued

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