The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized the government’s alleged war on illegal mining, calling it a “fraud”.
According to the party’s National Communications Spokesperson, Sammy Gyamfi, the Akufo-led administration has shown no determination to end the menace as he accuses some top officials of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of compromising government efforts.
“The so-called fight against galamsey by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government is a sham and a losing battle from day one. This is because there has never been any real commitment or political will on the part of the President to fight the menace.
“President Akufo-Addo has shown himself to be a leader who specializes in talk without supporting the same with action. Today, our beloved country stands at the crossroads of unprecedented economic chaos and environmental degradation under President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo is seeking the support of stakeholders, including the National House of Chiefs, to rally Ghanaians to end the menace of partisan politics. But in a sharp reaction, Mr Sammy Gyamfi who addressed the media on Thursday (October 6) said the only way to address the situation is to hold party officials accountable for their alleged involvement in the galamsey.
“It is time President Akufo-Addo understood the important responsibilities of the high office he currently holds. He is the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana. As president, he has authority and control over the security services and law enforcement powers of the state.
The mineral resources of the country are entrusted to him in the trust of the people. And so it has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with the country’s mineral and mining laws and for prosecuting those who violate them. More importantly, only he has the power to hire and fire his appointees who engage in illegal mining. No attempt to change or share the blame for his failed fight will destroy ‘Galamsey’.”
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
