By Godwin Owusu Frimpong
In what can only be described as a display of absurdity, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has put forth a request for ₵500 million from the Contingency Fund to address the escalating drought crisis in Northern Ghana. This plea for urgent financial aid comes in stark contrast to the blatant disregard for Ghana’s natural resources exhibited by government officials who have wreaked havoc on our forests through illegal mining activities under the guise of galamsey.
While the Finance Minister grapples with the impacts of a drought that has left Northern Ghana reeling, one cannot ignore the elephant in the room: the government’s complicity in destroying the very ecosystems that could have mitigated such crises. A mere stone’s throw from the Finance Ministry, trees once stood majestically, contributing to the ecological balance that prevents excessive droughts. Now, those trees lie felled, victims of a reckless pursuit of profit.
Dr. Amin Adam’s formal request for GHS500 million comes just days after the government launched an ₵8 billion relief package to assist farmers struggling with the effects of the prolonged dry spell. While it is undoubtedly important to support those affected by the drought, one cannot help but question the priority of such measures when the same government actively chooses to obliterate the natural resources that sustain agriculture and food security in the first place.
In his letter to Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr. Amin Adam stresses that the budget must accommodate these urgent expenditures due to “force majeure.” Yet, it is hard to fathom how a “force majeure” can be attributed to the unbridled greed that has led to the illegal mining operations, which have stripped the land of its protective vegetation, exacerbating the very conditions causing the drought. It’s rich for the government to seek funds for mitigation while simultaneously underminingsustainability efforts through their destructive practices.
Amid this crisis, the government’s actions magnify the misplaced priorities lurking beneath the surface. Just days ago, they further exacerbated food insecurity by imposing a ban on grain exports, stripping farmers of their right to be compensated for their work, while letting galamsey operators continue to damage our environment with impunity. The irony is palpable: after decimating the forest reserves, the government now scrambles to present a palatable image as they seek compensation to remedy a disaster of their own making.
Ultimately, the request for ₵500 million from the Contingency Fund stands as a glaring testament to the government’s duplicitous nature. While they reach for funds to address the fallout of a crisis they contributed to, it’s clear that their actions continue to be guided by short-term gains rather than long-lasting solutions.
In the battle against drought and hunger, words are no substitute for action. The people of Ghana deserve more than hollow promises; they deserve accountability and a genuine commitment to protecting the environment they rely on. Until that time comes, any plea for funds rings hollow against a backdrop of ecological devastation.
Godwin Owusu Frimpong
