Opinions of Thursday, 25 September 2025

Columnist: Emmanuel Graham Nyameke

'Oh Mutala, Omane and co; how could you have died for nothing? - Galamsey is booming under NDC

How could you have given your lives to Ghana, thinking it would call for an emergency response to galamsey? How could you people think so?

Your tragic death shook Ghana so profoundly that Selena Gomez felt compelled to provide us with the consoling song, "Heal Ghana".

You were supposed to represent the president at that event, but instead, you sacrificed your lives to initiate drastic action against Galamsey.

Truly, as often occurs after the death of an important family member, many Ghanaians and key figures from the NDC sent stern messages to Galamseyers, warning them to prepare for the impending consequences.

Their words are empty, just like Man United telling Barca to prepare for them.

Many of us thought the call for an emergency was underway since losing these two figures was a blow to us.

I am sorry to write to you that you just gave your lives up for yourselves.

The country is not seriously committed to stopping Galamsey.

If you care to know, I know they won’t tell you people, but I will, since I have, over the years, gained experience in communicating with the dead.

The update on Galamsey is clear.

They are decentralising small-scale licensing to the district levels, which means easy access to a galamsey license.

I don’t need to openly tell you that galamsey is becoming an institution.

The president said, instead of the emergency call, he will send the Galamsey to go and learn mining so they can continue to extract gold for the country.

Maybe you didn’t know, but they want me to pass this information to you: “Ghana’s life depends on the Galamseyers.”

You see why we cannot end Galamsey now.

All those figures who spoke after your tragic death, that they were going to do everything within their reach to end the menace, to give praise and honor to your death, just threw dust into your eyes.

Excuse me, but it seems like they're trying to say, "Your death was pointless".

However, I am deeply concerned for the lives of your children and wives, as the destruction of the environment has only intensified since your death.

I suggest that you, Mutala, collaborate with Osagyefo Kwame Ngolomah to pluck a leaf and sprinkle its dew onto the land you once cherished to cleanse it, as their commitment to fighting against Galamsey was insincere.

Maguire has surely failed Man U again.

Hon Mutala, you may not have known how I personally loved you and admired you for your great zeal for this country; your unwavering love for Nkrumah and African Unity always drew me close to you whenever you had to talk on TV stations.

But let me not be selfish here since I am already crowned with so much love for you over your true Nkrumaism, and focus on the Galamsey issue you left behind suddenly.

Please let your fallen brothers all know that we have disappointed them with the fight against Galamsey.

Please let them all know that their wives and children are in danger.

Graham… I think someone called my name.

I need to go now, Hon Mutala.

I will catch up in my next letter to you.

Please be safe where you are and intercede from there for us, so that the president and his cabinet will buy the idea of ending galamsey now.

Emmanuel Graham Nyameke still loves you and your ideas, and I, together with like-minded people, promise to keep fighting until they take my life too.

Rest on, senior comrade.