By Prof. Kwesi Yankah

 Did you see the nation-wide drama we rolled out 6th March? O! What a memorable day if you sat by TV with roasted plantain and peanuts!  True to expectations, the anniversary was nicely reset to reduce costs to the barest minimum. Isn’t it a pity though abandoning the people’s Black Star Square and re-locating to a dreaded Jubilee House? This is Ghana’s most fortified security zone, and a no-go area for mortals and cocoa boys !  Mention Jubilee and that is enough to rule out veranda boys, foot soldiers, Makola women, and those whose party is not in power.

Yet the beauty of the Black Star was still on display in several parts of the country: kindergarten kids swinging arms in various directions, but consistently above their heads. As expected, our freedom kids defied the cacophony of adult drums and decided to match to their own ear drums. Teachers following the kids were needless intrusions interfering with the kids’ free style at a freedom anniversary: Left right, left right left, left, left, then right, etc.

But did you see the rich variety of celebrants in various parts of Ghana? The parade of apprentice traditional priests in raffia skirt (akomfo), was a great novelty that told you what we missed in the past: our spiritual defense systems that confounded colonial oppressors! You may also have noticed the procession of pregnant women whose swagger and leisurely walk were in conformity with Article 21 (G) of the Constitution! The best part was of course the ‘eeeeyes-right’ climax, for which each group had their own choreography. As for Government officials receiving the independence salute, there was no reset: the self-same post-retirement males, who had no one to relieve them of wobbly knees!

But note a landmark development this year, a major breakthrough! A procession of Ghana’s latest development partners: Galamsey Boys (with girls in tow)! For once illegal miners were not silent back benchers looking over shoulders.  Numbering 20 or more, they merrily sang their anthem and marched along with digging tools and implements. These were neatly dressed in field gear, a few draped in national colors and state emblems. Proudly, they sang the refrain: ‘We are masters, Galamsey Boys, We are masters Galamsey Boys……’ If these were shy in previous years, they now announced themselves asintegral to Ghana’s productive labour force. While a few Gala groups are reported to have joined official processions, others unsure of law and order, confined their ceremonies to poisonous islands they have created for future generations.

Somehow Ghana knew this horror movie was in the offing. In the past ten or so years, political parties have used ‘Galamsey Freedom’ as a campaign promise when visiting Galamsey zones. For several years now, it has been a matter of pledging anything that could turn words into votes, and votes into power. Thanks to the social media that has resisted the conspiracy to delete negative history. ‘I was misquoted’ is no longer valid. Here you are with a President who in opposition, was quoted as promising to free or give amnesty to all Galamsey prisoners if ‘you give me the vote!’ Was this a quote from JDM 2020?

This was overheard and roundly condemned by civil society as reckless. The Elephant party has not been a saint either. They condoned Galamsey with silence, and turned a blind eye on colleagues in high places,who were named in a credible report to be involved in Galamsey! The report was sadly trashed, and the reporter turned accused!

Is this country then saddled with a bi-partisan conspiracy to formalize Galamsey and mute the Independence button of Ghana First? 

The horror spectacle on 6th March was simply a movie waiting to play at a theatre near you. The Gala Boys are simply saying they are fed up with the hypocrisy of being chased at midday, but hugged at midnight. ‘Mr President, Let’s Hug at Midday.’

This month, we commemorate the Big Six of Ghana’s independence struggle, who have all lost their environmental birthmarks:  Kwame Nkrumah’s Ankobra river, is now a floating dump site; the Birim river now a pair of poisonous breasts: JB Danquah, Paa Willie, Akufo Addo their proud landmarks now turned sewage. Yaanom, the latest breaking news! Our great Volta river now shivers, our nation trembles! Our beloved JDM lives while the Black Volta at Bole, his home reels in terminal pain.  Bole Bamboi Constituency, Kintampo are currently sites of Galamsey.

Yaanom! Our anniversary stinks! 

But beloved JDM has a candid response. He has poured his heart out confessing the dilemma he faces as father of the nation, torn between environmental destruction and the scourge of unemployment. Hear him late 2025:

“Gold is what holds Ghana now. We did 80 tons in a year; but this year alone we got 135 tons; most of the addition is from Galamsey… so we must be prepared to sacrifice in the fight against Galamsey…If gold production comes down, it means exports will reduce. Then also is employment; most our youth are in Galamsey because of unemployment.  If you fight against Galamsey, lots of youth who currently live on Galamsey will also be unemployed…” he virtually sobbed.

It is this dilemma that compels a Government to look away when we degrade the environment, destroy cocoa farms, and pre-poison water sources for future generations. The truth is even more horrible. We celebrate Galamsey largely for selfish interest. The Ghana First baton was dropped long ago. We now openly chase Gold, worship a Gold Bod that does no wrong.  We indeed make so much noise with a commodity that glows in silence! And we appoint cronies, friends and family to chase Gold. We boast with Gold houses we have…, But let me finally quote a colleague whose forthcoming book I just previewed. Enimil Ashong’s tribute to Kwame Nkrumah in his forthcoming ‘Speaking Truth Power,’ is blunt and damning on Nkrumah’s successors.

“Why is he the only African in whose honour a day has been set aside … why is he so revered and adored 50 years after his overthrow? A man who after 50 years in power didn’t leave a block for himself, didn’t own a house…”

For all his faults, Kwame Nkrumah put Ghana first. Not self-interest.

Let Ghana begin a search for Leaders not just Presidents. Inflation may be down, interest rates down; plus a rich Gold harvest by a Gold Bod.

For all you know, however, All that Glitters is Galamsey. 

kyankah@ashesi.edu.gh

kwesiyankahwrites.com