A Financial Consultant, Dr. Prince Obiri Yeboah has described as “reckless and useless” recent remarks by the Middle Belt Campaign Coordinator of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to the effect that the NDC is behind the galamsey menace in the country.
It will be recalled that the leading member of the Bawumia campaign team who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Effiduase, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie during a recent engagement noted that the NDC had brought Togolese and Burkinabe nationals into Ghana to engage in galamsey in the country’s water bodies. Those comments have been met with widespread criticism and anger.
The latest to add his voice is Dr Obiri Yeboah who has challenged the NPP MP to provide evidence to back his claims.
“Some politicians think they can manipulate the public with baseless claims, exploiting what they perceive as ‘cheap minds’ among Ghanaians. How can you stand before the entire Ghanaian population and claim that the NDC brought Togolese nationals to engage in illegal mining in our water bodies?” he quizzed.
“If you cross River Pra, you will cry. I’ve crossed the Pra from Akyem Oda to New Abirim, and from there to Takoradi. Let’s ask Ayew Afriyie which of these areas were destroyed by the Togolese,” he demanded.
Dr. Obiri Yeboah also noted the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey, lamenting that aquatic life has been wiped out in many of Ghana’s rivers, leading to a dwindling fish population.
“Our rivers like Bia, Offin, Pra, Tano and Birim which used to teem with fish are now devoid of fish. Sadly, all the rivers in Ghana that were once rich in nutritious fish have been destroyed.”
He cautioned that the scarcity of fish would soon drive fish prices through the roof if the trend continued.
“We are not thinking as a people; they think we’re only just fighting galamsey. Soon, fish prices will skyrocket,” he warned.
Dr. Obiri Yeboah stressed the importance of holding public officials accountable for their statements and actions.
“If we give some people power and they refuse to act responsibly, instead making senseless statements, we should be bold enough to tell them it doesn’t make sense,” he asserted.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
