Journalists have been urged to redouble their efforts in opposing galamsey, or illegal small-scale mining, by Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour.

While acknowledging the benefits of their previous joint efforts, he voiced concern about the decreased media coverage of Galamsey.

The President of GJA proposed that the state of water bodies could have been better if duty bearers had persisted in their actions.

Mr. Dwumfour made these remarks on Friday, May 3, at the Koforidua Technical University during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2024.

“The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country. In that regard, we wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’.

“In the past, our collective action in the fight against ‘galamsey’ yielded positive results, as we brought the issues to national attention for action.

“But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed, and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now. That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”

Additionally, he urged journalists to focus on other environmental problems, like climate change and sanitation.

“Apart from ‘galamsey’, the GJA wishes to call on the media to focus on and address other environmental issues such as sanitation and climate change. We will soon announce a comprehensive agenda on these environmental concerns.