A female galamseyer has made an emotional appeal to President John Mahama, asking the government to consider the plight of illegal miners who depend on the activity for their livelihood.
In a video circulating on social media, the young lady, who was sitting at a galamsey site, claimed she had been involved in illegal mining for the past two years because she could not find another source of income.
She said she is responsible for taking care of two children and questioned what she and other people at the site were expected to do after soldiers reportedly invaded their mining site and destroyed their equipment.
“President Mahama, we are tired. I have done galamsey for two years because there is no work. Look at my skin. I am taking care of two children,” she said.
The lady further argued that if people like her resorted to stealing because they had no work, they would be arrested.
She also made a reference to prostitution, saying she feared contracting HIV if she turned to “hookup” as another means of survival.
“If I decided to do hookup, I will get HIV. Which work do you want us to do now?” she asked.
President Mahama has repeatedly described illegal mining as a major threat to Ghana’s forests and water bodies, while his government has also spoken about alternative livelihood programmes as part of efforts to address the galamsey crisis.
Watch the video HERE.
