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NPP government has come under severe attacks over their failure to win the fight against galamsey.
National Communications Officer for the NDC Mr. Sammy Gyamfi who was insensed about the consequences of the galamsey on our environment has described President Akufo Addo/Bawumiah government’s fight against the galamsey as a scam and a lost battle.
Addressing a news Conference in Accra on Thursday, Mr. Gyamfi explained that there has never been any genuine commitment or political will on the part of the President to combat the menace.
“History has shown that any time a leader sets out to fight a certain crime in society, be it illegal mining , corruption, drug trafficking or any other vice, there is bound to be resistance from dark forces including those who benefit directly from crimes.
However what distinguishes leaders who succeed from those who fail is the genuine political will not only to bring sunshine on those crimes, but to severely punish the culprits in order to serve as deterrent to like-minded persons who may contemplate those crimes”, the NDC Communications Officer stressed.
He said Akufo Addo has proven to be a leader who has specialized in talk without backing same with deeds.
“Instead of accepting responsibility for his failed “Galamsey” fight, President Akufo-Addo aided by his Minister of Lands and Naturals Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor have resorted to shifting the blame to the Chieftaincy institution. This latest attempt by the Akufo-Addo government to blame the failed “Galamsey” fight on Chiefs and community leaders is shameful to say the least and must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
It is about time President Akufo-Addo understood the important duties of the high office he currently occupies. He is the President of the Republic and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed forces. As President, he has authority and control over the security services and coercive powers of State. The mineral resources of the country are vested in him in trust for the people. And therefore he has the ultimate responsibility to ensure compliance with the mineral and mining laws of the country and the prosecution of those who breach same. More importantly, only he has powers to hire and fire appointees of his who engage in illegal mining. No attempt to shift or share the blame for his failed “Galamsey” fight will wash”, he emphasized.
The NDC firebrand later made the following demands to Akufo Addo which he said is the only way to curb the devastation of the environment and the waters.
“Mr. President, we demand the following urgent, concrete actions from you if you want Ghanaians to take you seriously:
- We demand the immediate prosecution of all government functionaries and NPP officials who have engaged themselves in illegal mining (galamsey) activities such as Charles Bissue, Chairman Wontumi, Andy Owusu, Ekow Awusi, Prof. Frimpomg Boateng among others. This will be the first step to redemption and serve as a deterrent to other people within your government and party. You need to send a clear signal to Ghanaians that anyone caught in “galamsey” will be dealt with without fear or favour, regardless of party colours.
- We demand that all the so-called illegal mining companies like the Akonta Mining Limited which belongs to Chairman Wontumi and Heritage Imperial Mining Company which belongs to Mr. Donald Enstuah, a known financer of the NPP who have invaded forest reserves without any mining leases or permits, must be closed down and prosecuted. The assets of these companies must be confiscated and their owners surcharged with costs of the destruction of those forest reserves
- We demand that all security personnel complicit in illegal mining activities should be made to face internal investigations and discharged from the various services to serve as deterrent to others
- Mr. President, until you undertake the above actions faithfully, your so-called renewed fight against “galamsey” will remain a mirage. And you will be remembered by posterity as the President who promoted illegal mining by his appointees, party functionaries and their foreign collaborators and supervised the worst destruction of our environment.