National Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has charged President Akufo-Addo with being untruthful about his efforts to stop illegal mining in Ghana.
At a news conference on Thursday, Sammy Gyamfi claimed that the President’s campaign against “galamsey” is a complete fraud. He asserts that this is the case because the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government has not shown any serious commitment to the fight against ‘galamsey’. Additionally, their ‘galamsey’ battle is nothing more than a con.
This comes after President Akufo-Addo said in 2017 that he had placed his presidency on the line to fight “galamsey” when speaking at a forum against illicit mining that was organized primarily to get Ghana’s Chiefs interested in the battle against illegal mining.
According to Mr. Gyamfi, it has been evident from the beginning that the fight against galamsey is only a façade and an attempt by the government to commandeer the illegal mining trade for NPP apparatchiks and high-ranking officials in the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime and its international cohorts.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment to the cause on Wednesday during a meeting with the National House of Chief’s leadership and the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). He noted that he had been sincere when he made that declaration in 2017. Mr. Gyamfi however disagrees.
According to him, the NDC has proven cases to back the assertion that government officials as well as people entrusted with the task of safeguarding our environment are actively involved in illegal mining activities.
His claims are supported by the following evidence:
- Missing Excavators, vehicles, gold, and weapons among others.
- “Galamsey Fraud” Documentary by Anas.
- The participation of MMDCEs in “galamsey”.
- Compromised Operation Vanguard, Operation Galamstop, and Operation Halt after $3 Million spent on drones and recently.
- Chairman Wontumi and activities of his Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
- The Famous Aisha Huang Saga.
It will be very difficult for this Akuffo Addo, Bawumia-led administration to exonerate themselves from their involvement in the shameful act of galamsey in this country. A bunch of greedy people wish to acquire wealth for themselves at the expense of the poor people living in these mining communities, destroying their water bodies and livelihoods as a result of the evil practice. How do the custodians of the land become the very people endangering it? This practice of galamsey is very shameful and appalling, more so to know that some government officials are also involved in it.
Aisha Huan, Chairman Wontumi, and all perpetrators of galamsey operations in the country must be prosecuted and handed the necessary sanctions immediately. This will serve as a deterrent for others who haven’t been found out yet to stop the practice and prevent others also from venturing into it.
The fight against galamsey must be a collective one as the government has already failed woefully. They have shown that they cannot be trusted to keep their word. I will urge all local community members in the mining areas to be on the lookout for people who take advantage of their lands for galamsey purposes and report them to the police.
Meanwhile, is it time for the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo to relinquish his office just as he promised Ghanaians in 2017 regarding his commitment to fighting galamsey, or will he say his usual “The Battle Is the LORD’s?
Priscilla Fumadorh
Priscilla is an entrepreneur and a creative communicator who loves to communicate through writing. She is passionate about national economic issues and does not miss a chance to offer her opinions on them for the good of the country.