The Economic Fighters League has reinforced its unwavering stance on the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, condemning the escalating partisanship that threatens to derail the national effort to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
The Fighters, in a statement, called for a unified, non-partisan front to combat the devastation caused by illegal mining activities, which continue to wreak havoc on the country’s forests and freshwater bodies.
The statement, issued by the leadership of the League, including National Spokespersons John Koomson and Nii Ayi Opare, Fighter-General Namata Serumaga-Musisi, and Commander-in-Chief Ernesto Yeboah, highlighted the urgent need to transcend party politics in this critical fight.
“The call to ban illegal and unlawful mining activities in our forest reserves and on our freshwater bodies is a matter of life and death. This call is neither up for negotiation nor is it up for partisan propaganda”.
The Economic Fighters League
Call for National Action, Not Partisan Interests
The Economic Freedom Fighters further noted that the creeping partisanship between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cast a shadow over the urgent menace of illegal mining, distracting from the pressing need to protect Ghana’s environment.
The statement lamented that the duopoly of the NPP and NDC consistently places party interests above national concerns, undermining the country’s efforts to fight galamsey.
National Coalition Against Illegal Mining (NCAIM)
In a bid to foster a unified approach, the Economic Freedom Fighters League reiterated their invitation to all Ghanaians to join the National Coalition Against Illegal Mining (NCAIM).
The coalition according to the statement aims to rally individuals, student bodies, labor unions, civil servant organizations, and other pressure groups in a concerted effort to eliminate illegal mining from the country once and for all.
“This is a coalition over and above political parties,” the statement read, calling for an end to the “divisive partisanship” that has long impeded national development.
The Economic Freedom Fighters League urged Ghanaians to continue showing the same unity and resolve that has characterized recent grassroots efforts against galamsey, reminding the public of their collective power when partisan differences are put aside.
Criticism of Organized Labour
Moreover, the Economic Freedom Fighters expressed disappointment in the leadership of Organized Labour, over their failure to proceed with the planned industrial action on October 10th. According to the Fighters, this retreat is evidence of a leadership more concerned with self-interest than the wellbeing of their worker members and the country at large.
“Many in their leadership continue to use the power vested in them by their worker members and workers’ families to actively protect their own individual interests”.
The Economic Fighters League
Despite this setback, the Economic Freedom Fighters encouraged Ghanaians not to be discouraged, promising that the postponed industrial action would be replaced with alternative collective actions to end galamsey and all forms of anti-humane mining practices in Ghana.
Praise for UTAG’s Firm Stand
While criticizing Organized Labour, the Economic Freedom Fighters commended the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) for maintaining a firm stand against illegal mining.
UTAG’s resolute stance has been hailed as an example of the kind of leadership needed to tackle galamsey. The Fighters urged other organizations to draw inspiration from UTAG’s commitment, adding that the battle to save Ghana’s environment is far from over.
The Economic Fighters League concluded their statement with a rallying cry to all Ghanaians, urging them to remain resolute in the fight to end galamsey and protect the country’s natural resources.
“Be strong and courageous, patriots. The battle for Mother Ghana is ours to win,” the statement read, emphasizing the revolutionary spirit necessary to defeat the forces that threaten the nation’s future.
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