The Deputy Chairman of Dr. Bawumia Campaign Team, Hon. Nana Akomea, addressed the controversial issue of illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
He expressed concern over the divisive political climate surrounding the fight against illegal mining and accused erstwhile President John Dramani Mahama of attempting to profit politically from the issue during the 2020 elections.
Nana Akomea emphasized the need for unity in the fight against galamsey but suggested that political opportunism had taken precedence over genuine efforts to eradicate the problem.
Nana Akomea began by acknowledging that the fight against illegal mining is a matter of great national importance but lamented the lack of unity in addressing the issue.
“But we must be honest in this fight against galamsey. And we also must try and come together. Because we are still divided on the issue.
Hon. Nana Akomea the Deputy Chairman of Dr. Bawumia Campaign Team
According to Nana Akomea, the then-opposition leader, John Mahama, sought to exploit the issue for political gain, using it as a campaign tool to appeal to voters in areas affected by galamsey.
John Mahama’s Alleged Promise to Release Galamsey Prisoners
Nana Akomea’s main criticism of Mahama centered around a campaign promise the former president allegedly made regarding the release of individuals arrested for illegal mining activities.
“When the sitting government was engaged in uprooting galamsey, and then you go on an election campaign and tell people that if you vote for me, your people who have been arrested for dealing in galamsey, I will release them so they can continue their work.”
Hon. Nana Akomea the Deputy Chairman of Dr. Bawumia Campaign Team
Clarifying Mahama’s Position
During the discussion, a back-and-forth ensued over whether John Mahama had explicitly said he would release galamsey prisoners so they could return to illegal mining.
Nana Akomea responded, clarifying that John Mahama had stated he would release those who showed remorse for their actions. However, Nana Akomea expressed skepticism over this stance, pointing out that John Mahama had also suggested on another platform that the equipment confiscated during the galamsey operations would be returned to those involved.
This line of questioning highlighted Nana Akomea’s doubt regarding John Mahama’s intentions and the sincerity of his proposed measures for addressing illegal mining.
The Impact on the Electorate
Nana Akomea continued his critique by suggesting that John Mahama’s approach to the galamsey issue was more focused on securing votes than on addressing the environmental destruction and loss of lives caused by illegal mining activities.
“So clearly, John Mahama, the NDC, sought to profit from galamsey. They made it a campaign issue where we should be pulling together. The electorate saw that we were divided, and that doesn’t help the fight.”
Hon. Nana Akomea the Deputy Chairman of Dr. Bawumia Campaign Team
He further questioned the basis of John Mahama’s promise, asking, “Where did he go to conduct research among those who had been jailed? And the research told him that they had reformed?”
Opportunism vs. National Interest
Nana Akomea responded by reiterating the importance of understanding the broader context of the issue. He stressed that the fight against galamsey should not be driven by political opportunism but rather by the national interest.
“… So clearly, John Mahama did not try for us,” Nana Akomea concluded, underscoring his belief that John Mahama’s actions during the 2020 election campaign had undermined the fight against galamsey.
Nana Akomea’s remarks highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding illegal mining in Ghana and the role politics plays in addressing—or exacerbating—the issue.
His critique of John Mahama was sharp, accusing the former president of prioritizing political gain over national unity in the fight against galamsey. By questioning the sincerity of John Mahama’s promises and the impact of his rhetoric, Nana Akomea sought to emphasize the need for a unified and non-partisan approach to addressing one of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Nana Akomea’s comments reflected a broader concern that political opportunism is standing in the way of real progress in the fight against illegal mining.
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