As Ghana celebrates Farmers’ Day today, the nation is faced with a harsh reality.
While the government and well-meaning Ghanaians urge citizens to patronise local produce, the unfortunate truth is that many of our waterbodies, the lifeblood of our farmers, have been ravaged by galamsey, threatening the very foundation of our agricultural sector.
The devastating impact of galamsey on our environment and health cannot be overstated.
Our rivers and streams, once teeming with life, are now polluted with harmful chemicals, making it difficult for farmers to access clean water for irrigation.
This has led to a significant decline in crop yields and quality, forcing Ghana to rely on imports to meet the demand for staple foods like tomatoes.
But the consequences of galamsey go beyond the farm gate.
The consumption of polluted crops has serious health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and newborn babies.
The alarming rise in health issues among newborns can be linked to the toxic substances present in the food chain, a direct result of our polluted waterbodies.
As we celebrate our hardworking farmers today, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that our actions and inactions are undermining their efforts.
We must acknowledge the government’s failure to effectively combat galamsey and protect our environment.
We must demand accountability and concrete actions to restore our waterbodies and ensure a safe and healthy food supply.
Ghana’s Farmers’ Day should be a day of celebration, but it is also a day of reckoning.
Let us use this opportunity to reflect on our priorities and work towards a future where our farmers can thrive, our environment is protected, and our people are healthy.
The future of our nation depends on it.
