Jema in the Aowin municipality is a beacon and an example, if we are truly committed to ending the ongoing ecocide.
There is no illegal mining in Jema, because its visionary Chief Nana Enoku Annor II and Community Champion Friar Dr Joseph Blay popularly known as Father JB, got the community together and formed JAGA (Jema Anti Galamsey Advocacy) to fight the menace. JAGA conducts regular patrols.
They have been successful in protecting their rainforest and water bodies. Jema has rejected mining and embraced Cooperative Farming. They currently have organic galamsey-free coconut oil for sale.
The question is, If Jema can do it, why can’t other communities do likewise? Not many people have heard of Nana Enoku Annor II, but he has with the support of Father JB and JAGA successfully protected Jema’s rain forest and water bodies. We are confident that other Chiefs, especially a powerful respected Chief like the Asantehene, who we have all heard of can do likewise.
Ghana is on the verge of an ecological catastrophe and we must act now. The window of opportunity to deal with the ongoing ecocide is closing.
If the Chiefs, local political Authority and the Police come together and say no irresponsible mining, it will be difficult for illegal mining to thrive. There should be Key Performance Indicators for MCEs, DCEs and the Police regarding illegal mining. Complicit Chiefs should be held accountable.
Eco-Conscious Citizens urges HE the President to consider honouring Nana Enoku Annor II, Father JB and Jema with the highest National Award for their sustained and successful resistance to irresponsible mining.
Eco-Conscious Citizens will be honouring Nana Enoku Annor II with its first Chiefs Against Galamsey Award in late November.
Jema has shown the world that the fight against irresponsible mining can be successfully fought if the will to robustly fight it is there.
Once again, I ask: If Jema can do it, why can’t other communities do likewise?
Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens
