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The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s decision to deport foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, without prosecuting them.
During an appearance on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Serwah described the government’s justification for deportation as inadequate and unconvincing. “It is a very lame excuse,” she said.
According to her, allowing foreign nationals to simply be deported after engaging in activities that threaten the health and environment of Ghanaians sends the wrong message. She argued that such individuals should be prosecuted to reflect the seriousness of their actions.
“We say that we face an existential threat. If somebody comes and is poisoning you, the best you can do is deport the person, and then, when it comes to Ghanaians, Africans, you’re going to prosecute them?” she questioned.
Serwah further advocated for the enforcement of the “polluter pays” principle, stressing that offenders should be held accountable in court, and their assets used to fund the cleanup of the environmental damage they’ve caused.
“You have to send a strong message that you cannot come and poison us and go scot-free. We are even talking about the ‘polluter pays’ principle. After you have been prosecuted and found guilty, your assets should be sold and used toward the cost of cleaning up,” she emphasized.
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