Celebrated journalist and writer Cameron Duodu marked his 88th birthday on May 24, 2025, but the milestone came with a powerful and urgent warning. As his family and friends gathered to honor his life and achievements, Duodu chose to reflect not only on his journey, but on the troubling direction in which Ghana is heading.
From a young age, Duodu displayed a deep thirst for knowledge. He recalled how, at age 7, he began preparing for school a year in advance by buying a slate and a piece of chalk, and persuading his older half-brother to teach him the alphabet. His drive led him to excel early, skipping from Class One to Class Three after just one year. That same forward-thinking spirit shaped a long and influential career in journalism.
Now, as an elder statesman of Ghanaian media, Duodu admits he would rather focus on writing his memoirs than commenting on current affairs. However, he says his instinct cannot allow him to remain silent. He is deeply worried about the environmental destruction taking place across Ghana—especially the pollution of rivers, destruction of forests, and unchecked illegal mining activities known as galamsey.
“I am quite convinced that if we continue destroying our rivers, lakes and other water-bodies at the rate we are going, whilst at the same time denuding our forests, Ghana may not last another two decades,” he warned.
Duodu drew attention to the growing threat of desertification, citing the nearby Sahara Desert as a visible example of what could happen if urgent action is not taken. He also reminded readers that he has written extensively about galamsey in the past and urged those unfamiliar to simply search: Cameron Duodu + galamsey.
On a day that should be full of joy and celebration, Duodu has instead turned it into a national wake-up call. His message is clear: if Ghana does not act swiftly to protect its environment, the future may be far more uncertain than most imagine.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0