A group of galamseyers (illegal gold miners) were seen destroying a maize farm in search of gold. The galamseyers claimed they were only interested in finding gold and did not see the value in the maize.

The incident has sparked outrage among the local community, with many taking to social media to express their disbelief and frustration. While some netizens argued that the galamseyers were only prioritizing their economic interests, others pointed out the short-sightedness of destroying food crops for short-term gains.

“If they are getting billions of Ghana cedis from gold, why shouldn’t they destroy the maize farm?” asked one user. “Isn’t that what AngloGold and other mining companies also do?”

Others, however, were more critical. “They forgot that if they weed out all the crops, dig out the gold, and feel hungry, it’s the crops they cut down that they’ll need to eat,” said one commenter. “This is what we have reduced ourselves to. We create the mess, turn around, and blame the government for the high cost of living.”

Some netizens urged empathy, saying that the galamseyers might be desperate and in need of a livelihood. “If you haven’t lived in their condition before, don’t judge them,” said one user. “They should carry the maize to go and pay their children’s school fees… even big mining companies in Tarkwa and Obuasi cut down cocoa for mining, so let them be.”

Others expressed concern about the long-term consequences of prioritizing gold over food security. “You’re destroying food that you find gold to make money and buy,” said one commenter. “Money is just a means to our needs, and food is the most basic of our needs.”

The incident has raised calls for greater regulation and separation of farm lands and mining areas. “There should be farm lands that shouldn’t be touched for galamsey no matter what,” said one user. “Then areas earmarked for mining. If there’s need for expansion of either, you get extra land for production of food, then there’s no loss.”

As one netizen succinctly put it, “When they make their gold money and there is no food to buy, they can cook the money and eat.”

Watch video;

Galamseyers happily weed out maize plants on a farm, claiming they are only looking for gold and do not see the importance of maize. pic.twitter.com/ADkotJ8sHk

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) July 4, 2024