President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched a scathing attack on the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of opposing his presidency’s risk-taking stance against galamsey.
Speaking during his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the North East Region on Tuesday, October 15, Akufo-Addo emphasized his unwavering commitment to eradicating the illegal mining menace, despite facing severe criticism since 2017.
President Akufo-Addo’s crusade against galamsey has been a long-standing one.
In 2017, he famously declared, “I am prepared to put my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey”.
This bold statement underscored his determination to tackle the issue head-on, regardless of the political consequences.
The President expressed concerns over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) poor performance in mining areas during the 2020 elections.
He attributed this decline to propaganda spread by NDC presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, who allegedly promised to reverse Akufo-Addo’s anti-galamsey policies and grant amnesty to those jailed for galamsey offenses.
President Akufo-Addo challenged Mahama to clarify his stance on galamsey, criticizing the NDC’s ambiguous position on the issue.
“Today, he [Mahama] says he’s against galamsey and will enforce the law, but every time he speaks, he speaks from both sides of his mouth,” Akufo-Addo said.
The President’s comments highlight the ongoing struggle against galamsey and the political tensions surrounding it.
BY Daniel Bampoe