THE illegal mining practice known as galamsey has become a devastating weapon of environmental destruction in Ghana, wreaking havoc on water bodies, forests, and communities. According to Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, the pan-African activist and founder of UK’s Black History Month, this environmental crisis is not just a result of reckless mining, but a ‘direct reflection of the failure of leadership in Ghana.’ The lack of ‘enlightened leadership’—leadership that is green, clean, and lean—has left the nation vulnerable to the greed of its ruling elite, who have allowed the plundering of Ghana’s natural resources without regard for the well-being of the country or its people.
Writing for Africa Briefing, Addai-Sebo says, ‘For decades, the ruling elite—represented by figures like the Ahwois, Tsikatas, Akufo-Addos, and Osafo-Marfos—have engaged in executive perfidy. Rather than protecting Mother Ghana, these leaders have allowed her to be exploited and stripped of her gold, timber, oil, and other valuable resources. As the country’s rivers turn red with pollution and destruction, it becomes clear that Ghana’s leadership has become complicit in the systematic looting of the nation.’
The capture of Ghana’s state
Addai-Sebo argues that the current ruling elite has turned Ghana into a neocolony since the overthrow of the democratically elected Limann regime in 1981. What followed was a period of state capture, where a small, self-interested group—the Dukadaya Mafioso Cabals—took control of the country’s resources and governance, turning it into a machine for personal enrichment. This cabal has ruled with impunity, exercising absolute power over Ghana’s property and wealth, continuing a pattern of create, loot, and share for the benefit of their families, friends, and foreign partners.
The current ruling elite has turned Ghana into a neocolony since the overthrow of the democratically elected Limann regime in 1981
According to Addai-Sebo, this corrupt system of governance is personified by figures like Woyome, Amoateng, Wontumi, and ‘Sir John’ Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who have enriched themselves at the expense of the public. The result is a cycle of looting that continues to entrap Mother Ghana in environmental destruction and poverty.
The devastation of galamsey
Galamsey—illegal artisanal mining—has become a symbol of the corrupt and destructive nature of this ruling class. Under their watch, vast stretches of land have been stripped of their natural resources, forests have been cleared, and rivers have become polluted. As Addai-Sebo highlights, these ‘greedy bastards’ have dug beneath Asase Yaa (Mother Earth) in pursuit of gold, leaving devastation in their wake.
What makes the situation worse, according to Addai-Sebo, is that these destructive actions are carried out with the protection of ‘executive privilege.’ The elite responsible for this devastation enjoy immunity from prosecution, allowing them to destroy the environment with impunity. The cycle of environmental destruction and looting continues as these figures exploit Ghana’s resources for personal gain, leaving behind a legacy of pollution and poverty for future generations.
The need for change
Addai-Sebo warns that the Dukadaya elite have become a national security threat. Their continuous looting and destruction of the environment is not only an act of betrayal but an existential threat to the future of the nation. This corrupt and self-serving leadership must be disrupted if Ghana is to have any chance of recovering and building a sustainable future.
#DukadayaMustGo and #DukadayaStateCapture are not just slogans, but a rallying cry for all Ghanaians to take action. Addai-Sebo calls for a united, joint effort to end the stranglehold of these treasonous elites and to restore control of the country’s resources to its people. The continued looting of Ghana’s wealth—whether through galamsey or other corrupt practices—cannot be allowed to persist. It is time to RESCUE MOTHER GHANA from the clutches of these nation-wreckers.
A call for new leadership
To rescue Ghana from this spiral of destruction, Addai-Sebo calls for a return to the principles of leadership exemplified by Kwame Nkrumah’s generation. Unlike the current leadership, which he describes as corrupt and self-serving, the Nkrumah generation were nation-builders who cared for the country and its people.
The ruling elite of today, in contrast, have become synonymous with betrayal and greed. They have no loyalty to the land or the people they are meant to serve, and they must be held accountable for their actions. Addai-Sebo urges Ghanaians to organise, mobilise, and demand better governance. The people must reclaim their country from the Dukadaya elites who have enriched themselves at the expense of the nation.
The fight for the future
As Ghana faces a critical moment in its history, Addai-Sebo emphasises the need for long-term solutions to address the environmental and governance crises. He insists that this is not just a fight against corruption, but a fight for the soul of the nation. Ghana’s resources—its gold, timber, oil, and forests—belong to the people, and it is up to the people to protect them from further exploitation.
This is a call to arms for all Ghanaians who care about the future of their country. The corrupt leadership that has pillaged the nation for the last 32 years must be stopped. The time for action is now. Addai-Sebo powerfully emphasises: ‘A LOOTING CONTINUA BEGETS ALUTA CONTINUA,’
The fight to end the looting and destruction of Ghana must continue until the nation is free from the grip of the Dukadaya elites.
A new path forward
Addai-Sebo’s passionate plea is a reminder that the future of Ghana rests in the hands of its people. The corrupt elite who have entrenched themselves in power must be removed, and a new generation of leaders—leaders who care about the environment, the people, and the future—must take their place.
‘The environmental destruction caused by galamsey, the looting of the country’s wealth, and the betrayal of the ruling elite cannot continue. It is time to disrupt the Dukadaya State Capture and create a new path forward for Ghana, one based on justice, sustainability, and true leadership,’ he states.
Credit: Africabrifieng
