The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim, has emphasized the critical role of literature in raising awareness about the devastating effects of illegal mining, known as galamsey.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Read to Save the Environment event at the 22nd Ghana International Book Fair on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, organized by Adwinsa Publications, Ziblim highlighted the significance of literature in addressing the environmental and social impacts of galamsey.

“While galamsey may offer short-term benefits to those involved in this destructive act, its long-term consequences are devastating, leading to poisoned water bodies, destroyed farmlands, collapsed communities, and a future put at risk,” he stated, referencing the featured book, Abebrese: Shadows of Wealth.

“Literature, such as this book, allows us to reflect on these realities, engage in meaningful dialogue, and inspire change. In this regard, I wish to pay tribute to the memory of our eight gallant compatriots who unfortunately lost their lives in the fight against illegal mining,” he added.

He paid tribute to the eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in a helicopter accident on August 6, 2025, while attending a national event against illegal mining, calling for a moment of silence in their memory and stressing that the battle to protect the environment is a moral imperative.

Ziblim underscored the transformative power of reading, noting that “literature, such as this book, allows us to reflect on these realities, engage in meaningful dialogue, and inspire change.”

He outlined the Ghana Library Authority’s efforts to promote literacy, including introducing reading programs in local languages such as Ga, Dagbani, Fante, and Twi, stocking libraries with BECE and WASSCE past questions, and expanding access to locally authored books.

He also highlighted initiatives like extended hours at the National Children’s and Mobile Library, coding clubs, and resources for visually impaired children to ensure inclusivity.

In an interview at the event, the CEO of Adwinsa Publications, Kwaku Amponsah, echoed the urgency of addressing galamsey through literature.

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“This year, we decided to use a book called Shadows of Wealth to address the issue of galamsey, and we felt it’s a very critical issue, especially at this time in our nation’s development,” he said.

He noted that the 2025 Adwinsa Children’s Show is dedicated to the eight individuals who died fighting galamsey, emphasizing a unified call to action: “Every child is saying to our parents, to leaders, to authorities, to the government, to chiefs everywhere, that because of their future—their future is at stake—we should all join them to say no to galamsey.”

Held under the theme “The Role of Reading in Addressing Social Issues,” the 2025 Read to Save the Environment event was hosted at the National Theatre in Accra.



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