Ghana Head Coach Otto Addo has labeled the destruction caused by illegal mining (galamsey) to the country’s water bodies as a serious issue.
However, he underscored that his team’s primary focus is on securing victories in their upcoming back-to-back qualifiers against Sudan for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In recent weeks, citizens have protested in Accra, calling on the government to halt mining activities in forest areas and water bodies, with one protest currently entering its second day.
During the announcement of the Black Stars squad for the crucial matches, Addo was questioned about the galamsey crisis. He expressed, “You know, there are a lot of things that have also distracted me; maybe I’ve questioned myself as well, asking what I could have done better. If, let’s say, I have an accident, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Despite acknowledging the distractions, Addo maintained that the team’s priority is solely on Sudan. “For us, to be honest, it’s about focusing on Sudan and nothing else. After we win, then we can talk about every other topic,” he added.
Ghana is set to host Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the third round of the qualifiers, before traveling to Libya for the fourth round match four days later. The Black Stars aim to secure vital points as they strive for a place in next year’s AFCON, scheduled to be held in Morocco.
