Former President John Dramani Mahama
Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s approach in dealing with illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’ in the country.
According to him, the formation of the Operation Vanguard by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration to chase illegal miners with guns in the bush is not the best approach to properly addressing the menace.
Mr. Mahama stated that NPP administration’s policy would not yield the positive results that the government and citizenry are expecting.
“If you put a blanket ban and you send soldiers after young people, that is not the way to go,” the former Ghana President stated, apparently jabbing President Akufo-Addo over his management of the situation.
According to him, the NPP administration should have come out with a pragmatic system to provide employment avenues to the numerous young and energetic illegal miners before imposing the ban on illegal mining.
“As you stop the illegal mining menace in the country, at the same time you must put a livelihood package so those people you are displacing from illegal mining will have something else to do,” the former president disclosed.
Explaining further, he stated that the country used soldiers to chase illegal miners previously which did not work.
“When there is nothing to do and you are chasing them and shooting them, that is not the way to go. The government should bring a proper package so those who will mine for gold will do it according to the law.”
Mr. Mahama said the previous NDC administration decided to introduce a new mining law to regulate the operations of illegal miners in the country to help stakeholders to benefit from the industry and enrich their lives.
He admitted that illegal mining can have negative effect on the environment, adding that gold can be mined for the people to prosper without the destruction of the environment through proper measures.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi