The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has questioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-will Addo’s to deal mercilessly with government personnel accused of illegal small-scale mining, often known as galamsey.
The NDC maintains that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has not demonstrated sufficient commitment in dealing with party bigwigs at the root of the illegality.
While speaking to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Kumasi as part of a meeting to find a long-term solution to the galamsey scourge, President Akufo-Addo stated his willingness not to shield any government official found complicit in galamsey operations.
However, Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC’s National Communications Officer, stated at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 6, 2022, that the President is not backing up his efforts with action.
“President Akufo-Addo’s comment on this matter shows clearly that he hasn’t repented from shielding his officials who are engaged in illegal mining and proves what a walking contradiction he is, as he continues to skirt around this very important issue”.
“The Ghanaian people are simply tired of the President’s mixture of hollow and worthless rhetoric on this subject of galamsey.
“We’re telling him today that either we start seeing action from him or he should stop talking to us,” he said emphatically,” Sammy Gyamfi said.
The NDC also believes the Akufo-Addo administration has failed miserably in its war against galamsey.
According to the minority, the government’s methods and strategies for winning the fight against illegality is a transparent lie, adding that some members of the NPP administration are behind galamsey throughout the country.
“The so-called fight against galamsey by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government is a scam and has been a lost battle from day one. This is because, there has never been any genuine commitment or political will on the part of the President to combat the menace.”
“President Akufo-Addo has proven to be a leader who has specialized in talk without backing same with deeds. Today, our beloved country stands at a cross-road of unprecedented economic mess and unprecedented environmental degradation under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia,” he said
He added that the country is at “crossroads of unparalleled economic chaos and terrible environmental devastation,” he added.
Sammy Gyamfi went on to accuse the president and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, of “passing the burden to the chieftaincy institution.”
