The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has alleged that most individuals engaged in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, are affiliated with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the Association’s President, Michael Peprah, the Mahama administration’s approach to addressing illegal mining deserves commendation, not criticism, as it is built on consultation and practical interventions rather than political grandstanding.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Starr 103.5 FM on Monday, October 6, Mr. Peprah argued that many of those operating illegal mining equipment across the country are known opposition figures with access to expensive machinery such as excavators.
“As a president for the small-scale miners I can easily say that a lot of the galamseyers are from NPP parties, even people who are in NDC don’t have these equipment like the excavators and the other equipment that we use in mining, people that we know them, and we can mention their names,” he claimed.
He further criticized calls for a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, describing them as politically motivated and counterproductive.
“So why is it that government is trying to solve this problem and people just push government to declare a state of emergency, which is not the solution to the problem. 2017, we all can attest to the fact when the previous government brought about this ban on all forms of small-scale mining, what happened?
READ: Mahama not idle in galamsey fight – Small-Scale Miners back gov’t’s efforts
That was the time people mined with impunity and years ago we deployed the military and then the police, we could not achieve anything,” he said.
Mr. Peprah praised President Mahama’s decision to reject such calls, describing it as both “honest and wise.”
He said the President’s decision to treat water bodies and forest reserves as security zones already provides sufficient legal backing for enforcement.
“So if government has declared the water bodies as a security zone and the forest reserve as a security zone, isn’t it the same thing that you are calling for?” he questioned.
His comments come after President Mahama dismissed demands from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, civil society groups, and the NPP for an emergency declaration to deal with the galamsey menace.
The President had explained that while the Constitution allows him to declare a state of emergency, the National Security Council has advised that the illegal mining crisis can be resolved through existing measures without invoking such powers.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
