A Political Science Lecturer at KNUST, Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng has attributed the inability of the President Nana Akufo–Addo administration to curb the galamsey menace to the political benefits that the practice brings to his office.
Dr. Boateng notes that the President’s priorities have shifted from advocating against galamsey in opposition to now reaping its rewards.
Dr. Boateng noted that President Akufo-Addo’s talk about reaping the fruit of governance while in opposition had now shifted to enjoying proceeds from illegally mined gold while in office.
“The fruit of office is the reason they cannot end galamsey. Today, what they’re after is not the fruit he, Akuffo Addo talked about in opposition, but gold. They’re taking gold directly from galamsey”.
Speaking in an interview with Millicent Safo Adu on Bresosem at Abusua965FM, Dr. Boateng argued that the New Patriotic Party has deliberately decided to shift attention from their own struggles in combating the issue by constantly demanding that the flag bearer of the opposition NDC John Dramani Mahama declares his stance on the fight against illegal mining.
He explained, “I foresee that Akuffo Addo and NPP want to divert attention from the fight against galamsey to John Mahama. The reason they’re doing this is to involve Mahama in the galamsey conversation, suggesting that when it comes to galamsey, he cannot speak about it because if he comes into office, he will do the same and won’t fight it”.
Dr. Amakye Boateng contended that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is more concerned with undermining former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama’s stance on galamsey than addressing the issue itself.
“This tactic seeks to discredit Mahama and undermine his potential future efforts to address galamsey,” He emphasized.
He further questioned the government’s commitment to ending galamsey, noting their hesitation to act decisively as their term nears completion.
“They are hesitant to stop galamsey since there are only two months left before their tenure ends, and they will lose benefits”, Dr. Boateng stressed.
Dr. Boateng highlighted the contradiction between the government’s previous decision to allow mining in forest reserves and their current attempts to revoke that law under public pressure.
“Is it not the same government that passed a law allowing mining in forest reserves? Why are they now seeking to revoke that law after facing public pressure? Has their understanding of the law’s implications changed since its passage?” he quizzed.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
