John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed concerns over the government’s lack of commitment to fighting illegal mining, particularly the practice known as “galamsey.”
Speaking during the start of his tour in the Western Region at the Western Regional House of Chiefs, John Mahama stated that the political will to address galamsey is severely lacking, with some government officials deeply involved in the illegal mining activities.
He strongly condemned the role of certain individuals within the government who, despite acknowledging the challenges of illegal mining, continue to profit from it.
Mr. Mahama made it clear that under a new NDC administration, no appointed official would be allowed to participate in galamsey.
He stated, “People in government are the ones involved in illegal mining, as they claim the party needs money. But under my leadership, no appointee will be allowed to be a miner. Anyone found involved in galamsey in my administration will be dismissed immediately.”
John Mahama further emphasized that the fight against galamsey cannot be successful unless the wealthy and influential individuals behind these illegal operations are held accountable.
He stated that the involvement of powerful figures in galamsey is a significant obstacle to resolving the issue, adding, “Until we remove the rich people involved in illegal mining, the problem will persist. I will work with the chiefs to tackle galamsey.”
In a bold proposal, John Mahama suggested that the government should establish local offices of the Minerals Commission in all mining communities.
This, he argued, would allow for better monitoring and enforcement of laws regarding illegal mining, as the current setup, with the Commission’s office based in Accra, is far removed from the areas most affected.
He stressed, “Minerals Commission offices should be present in every mining community to directly monitor illegal mining activities. It doesn’t make sense for such offices to be located in Accra, far from where the mining takes place.”
In his speech, John Mahama promised that under his leadership, the NDC would prioritize the protection of the nation’s lands and water resources.
He assured that the chiefs would play a central role in this effort, working together with the government to safeguard the environment and combat illegal mining.
“A new NDC government will collaborate with the chiefs to protect our land and water from the damaging effects of galamsey,” he concluded.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭
