Tricycle are Okada riders of New Abirim in the Eastern Region have called on the government to declare the ongoing issue of galamsey as a state of emergency.
According to them, the situation needs to be addressed as soon as possible because they are being affected by the ongoing crisis.
Speaking in an interview on UTV one member said, “We’re not joking about the issue of galamsey we want it solved as soon as possible. You will know how bad it’s affecting us when you go to our hospitals and interact with our nurses. People are dying day in day out because our water bodies are contaminated and we are still using it”.
He explained that, the same water bodies being destroyed by galamsey activities is being used to water the plants that give the country and community food hence their reason for calling on government to intervene.
“We can’t stay quiet. The people quiet about it because they feel it’s not happening in their towns should speak up now because it affects all of us the foodstuffs watered with galamsey water will eventually get to you. You won’t be informed that the crops were watered with galamsey water. You’ll buy it and be sick or even die” he lamented.
He went on to advise Ghanaians not to politicize the menace as the situation affects all Ghanaians not any political party.
“We are speaking because we want to live in a safe environment and eat safe foods this is why we’re talking. The issue is slowing killing us this is why we’re calling for it to be declared a state of emergency.
About 100 people have been diagnosed with typhoid and we know it’s all as a result of galamsey”he said.
The Okada rider added that finding clean water to cook and take a shower in the community is now a struggle because all the water bodies have been destroyed.
He asked that swift action is taken against the issue to prevent it from escalating further.
