The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized the government’s supposed war against illegal mining describing it as a “scam”.
According to the party’s National Communication Officer Sammy Gyamfi, the Akufo-led administration has shown no commitment to ending the menace as it accuses some top officials within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of compromising the government’s efforts.
“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 crossroads of unprecedented economic mess and environmental degradation under President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo is courting support from stakeholders including the National House of Chiefs to rally Ghanaians to end the menace devoid of partisan politics. But in a sharp response, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, who addressed the media on Thursday (October 6) says the only way to tackle the situation is to call party officials to account, for their alleged involvement in galamsey.
“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 the State.
The country’s mineral resources are vested in him in the trust of 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 the power 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.”
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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