NDC, Mahama are promoters of galamsey, resolving the menace with them is impossible – Ahiagbah
The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has responded to the comments by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama on the issue of illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey).
Mr Mahama had promised to tackle the galamsey menace if he wins this year’s elections.
Today, he said “the sector stands at a crossroads, and the decisions we make or fail to make and the actions we take or fail to take will determine its role in our nation’s future.”
As a nation, he added, “we cannot fail to recognise the significant contributions of small-scale mining to our economy. It is estimated to provide employment for over a million Ghanaians and serve as a crucial source of income in many of our rural areas.
“However, the environmental impact of unregulated activities has been profound, negatively affecting our water bodies, land, and forests. I am dedicated to supporting the transformation of small-scale mining, and my vision in this regard is clear.
“My party, the NDC, and I aim to reform small-scale mining into a better, regulated,
environmentally responsible, and economically viable sector. You all agree with me, ladies and gentlemen, that we can develop the sector into one that contributes to our economy in a sustainable manner while respecting our environmental heritage,” Addressing the ‘3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale mining’ organised by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani on Wednesday, May 15.
However, in a post on his X platform, Mr Ahiagbah said “The NDC are promoters of glamsey. Therefore, H.E Mahama’s promise to use AI powered plan to combat galamsey is a vote-seeking gimmick. Galamsy is an existential problem that requires inputs from all strata of society to combat.
“Resolving the galamsey manace is impossible with H.E John Mahama and the NDC because they are promoters and beneficiaries of galamsey. Pls refer to the evidence below:
1. The widely publicized 2020 video of Kwaku Boahen, then, Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC, promising a golden age of galamsey to voters in mining communities across the country
2. H.E Mahama promised to free galamsey convicts in 2020, at a campaign event at Mpohor, and has repeated the same promise following his selection as the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2024 presidential election. Solution to the fight against galamsey is impossible with Mahama & the NDC. Vote Bawumia for a bold solution to the galamsey menace. It’s possible.”
The NDC are promoters of glamsey. Therefore, H.E Mahama’s promise to use AI powered plan to combat galamsey is a vote-seeking gimmick. Galamsy is an existential problem that requires inputs from all strata of society to combat. Resolving the galamsey manace is impossible with… pic.twitter.com/78v4GwF8Pm
— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) May 16, 2024
