Former President Jerry John Rawlings has bemoaned the growing lack of patriotism in the country, describing it as ‘Ghana’s biggest challenge’, adding ‘our patriotic sense and responsibility is lost’.

He made reference to the illegal mining (galamsey) menace in the country as a testament of the lack of patriotism by some Ghanaians.

“Entire rivers have been destroyed by the senseless and unbridled abuse caused by greed, unpatriotic attitudes and the failure of mining supervisory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the security agencies to enforce the laws.

“The problem of this brazen abuse is collective.

There is no doubt that institutions have been weak, and the commitment of successive governments even weaker because of shallow political will. Local people and traditional leaders are also complicit.

“Until the average Ghanaian recognises the need to show responsibility, first to himself, family and environment, we will continue to experience economic, social and political poverty,” the former President said.

Flt Lt (retd) Rawlings was speaking at the 75th anniversary platinum awards ceremony of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) in Accra last Friday, where he was honoured together with Ghana’s First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and other members of GMWU for their positive contributions towards the development of the mining sector in Ghana.

Source: graphic.com.gh