The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, under President John Dramani Mahama, failed to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
According to NPP’s National Communications Director, Mr. Richard Ahingba, the Mahama administration’s lack of commitment to fighting galamsey has led to devastating consequences, including the destruction of 44 out of 288 forest reserves.
At a press conference, Ahingba claimed that the NDC government’s inaction has allowed galamsey to thrive, with recruited militants from Ivory Coast and other regions protecting illegal mining operations.
He also criticized the NDC’s alleged involvement in preventing security forces from combating galamsey, stating that the party’s complicity has contributed to the astronomical growth of illegal mining in Ghana.
According to him, the government’s recent commissioning of Blue Water guards is not a viable solution to combat galamsey.
He stated that these guards are merely complementary to the fight against illegal mining, but the government is presenting them as a primary solution.
Mr. Ahingba criticized the government’s approach, saying that the Blue Water guards are not equipped to effectively tackle the issue of galamsey. He argued that the government’s emphasis on these guards is a diversion from the real issue, which requires a more comprehensive and sustained effort to combat.
Source: Bernard K Dadzie, Greater Accra Region
