The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah, has accused President Akufo-Addo of using his vow to risk his presidency in the fight against galamsey as a political maneuver to curry favor with the public, rather than a genuine commitment to addressing the issue.
Sulemana Braimah suggests that the President’s remarks were a calculated move to kick start his term with a perceived victory, as the country was already seized with anxiety over the issue, and he sought to harness that momentum to his advantage.
Braimah argued that Ghana had already lost the fight against galamsey, citing Professor Frimpong Boateng’s allegation of high-level government complicity, and suggesting that this incident was just further evidence of a broader failure to address the issue, which had likely been doomed from the start.
“In my view, that was basically some grandstanding on the part of the president because you only have to read Professor Frimpong Boateng’s reports to come to the conclusion that it was either some public deception activity that was happening or basically politics as usual,” he told host Samson Lardy Anyenini on June 15.
Sulemana Braimah
Braimah further alleged that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) encountered fierce resistance and sabotage from certain lawmakers and government officials, which hindered its efforts to effectively combat illegal mining.
Braimah also revealed that during the committee’s inspections, it discovered instances where illegal miners were being shielded by military personnel, who were enabling them to continue their illegal mining operations with impunity.
He also observed that, beyond the damning report, a personal visit to the forest reserves revealed a stark and alarming reality of widespread environmental degradation and destruction.
Braimah argued that the continued existence of these illegal activities calls into question how the President, who had staked his presidency on resolving the issue, can remain in power despite his failed promise.
Braimah further alleged that the majority of mining activities in forest reserves are impossible without the President’s explicit approval or tacit consent, implying a high level of complicity and culpability on the part of the President.
“How do they believe that yes, there is that commitment to this whole mining activities and of course it is complex”. – Sulemana Braimah
NPP Rejects Galamsey Failure Claims
Meanwhile, Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the NPP, dismissed claims that the government has failed to combat illegal mining (galamsey) due to a lack of dedication or political will, vehemently denying any such allegations.
Ahiagbah attributed the pervasive engagement in galamsey to the highly lucrative nature of the activity, implying that financial gains are a strong motivator for those involved.
The NPP stalwart argued that the government has put in place all the necessary policies and measures to combat galamsey and therefore, the ongoing surge in galamsey activities is solely driven by individual greed and self-interest, rather than any lack of government commitment or ineffective policies.
“There is no silver bullet on what to do about it but one thing I am clear about in my head is the unimpeachable commitment of the President towards the fight. He has been clear from day one. He wanted to fight it and he is focused on it”.
Richard Ahiagbah
Ahiagbah emphasized that illegal small-scale mining has been a long-standing practice in Ghana, predating the country’s independence, but the recent surge in public discourse and scrutiny is largely driven by growing global concerns about the severe environmental impact of this activity.
Ahiagbah reaffirmed the government’s commitment and President Akufo-Addo’s resolve to combat galamsey, reiterating the administration’s pledges to tackle the issue and reassuring that the President remains steadfast in his dedication to addressing this environmental challenge.
Ahiagbah declared that President Akufo-Addo has provided unwavering support to media outlets, advocates, civil society organizations, and stakeholders committed to combating galamsey, and has implemented all necessary policy measures to tackle the issue.
“The challenge remains that the pursuit of that venture being profitable makes people find their way in there. The effort to fight galamsey has been resolute and has been done. The challenge we are having is people’s interest.”
Richard Ahiagbah
READ ALSO: Burna Boy Becomes African Artiste With Highest-Grossing on Tour
