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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 57888, member: 636"] Eco-Conscious Citizens coordinator Awula Serwah rejected claims that citizens pursue illegal mining for survival purposes. President John Dramani Mahama acknowledged during his September 10 media appearance that unemployment drives some Ghanaians toward the unlawful activity. The president emphasized that ending galamsey requires gradual action rather than an immediate shutdown without alternative opportunities. Mahama cautioned against hasty measures that could harm affected communities. The administration views this challenge as requiring systematic rather than instant solutions. Serwah countered this perspective during her September 13 JoyPrime interview by characterizing the livelihood argument as deceptive. She pointed out that numerous operators deliberately abandoned legitimate employment to pursue higher earnings from illegal mining. The environmental advocate compared galamsey to armed robbery and emphasized that economic hardship cannot justify criminal behavior. Many miners previously held regular jobs but switched to illegal operations for better financial returns. This situation mirrors historical gold rush patterns where people chase quick wealth. The campaigner warned that enforcement delays will accelerate damage to water sources, forests, and agricultural land. Previous administrations failed to address this problem when initial concerns emerged years earlier. Serwah urged current leadership to avoid repeating historical mistakes and take immediate action against the environmental threat. [/QUOTE]

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