Renowned United States-based academic and fellow of CDD-Ghana, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Prof. Kwaku Azar, has asserted that corruption, illegal mining activities (popularly called galamsey), and abuse of power will continue to thrive if perpetrators are not made to face consequences.
According to him, it is only punishment that will deter Ghanaians from engaging in corrupt and galamsey activities, not mere condemnations and exposés.
In a post on Facebook, Prof. Asare wrote, “people will do galamsey, be corrupt, and abuse power if there’s no cost. Only cost, not preaching, stops wrongdoing.”
Illegal mining has been one of the most discussed issues in the media for years.
Recently, The Fourth Estate released an investigative report that exposed politicians involved in mining within the country’s forest reserves.
It is believed that many of these politicians obtained mining leases illegally, giving them the opportunity to engage in unsafe mining activities, which have destroyed water bodies in numerous areas.