Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq, Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama and Spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign Team has accused the New Patriotic Party administration of using the proceeds of illegal mining to finance its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign.
Mrs Mogtari, in a scathing critique, accused President Akufo-Addo of failing to keep his promise to fight the illegal mining activities, leading to an alarming destruction of the country’s prime lands for agricultural activities and other essential services.
Highlighting the implication of illegal mining, Mrs Mogtari noted that the activities and operation of illegal miners have caused widespread destruction of forests, pollution of water bodies, and severe health risks to local communities.
She underscored the environmental and health impacts of illegal mining in Ghana, emphasizing that proceeds from these illicit mining activities have become a significant source of funding for the New Patriotic Party’s campaign for the December upcoming general election.
“It appears that proceeds from galamsey are now allegedly part of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia campaign financing, The president has apparently ‘removed his presidency from the line’ or turned a blind eye to the looming threat to our water supply sources, our health, and the threat that these operations pose to our cocoa production and forest reserves”.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq., Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama and Spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign Team
Mahama’s Vision for Sustainable Mining
Furthermore, the Spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign Team, Joyce Bawah Mogtari highlighted the urgent need for action to protect Ghana’s natural resources and public health.
The Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, while decrying the impact of illegal mining, highlighted former President John Mahama’s comprehensive plan to tackle illegal mining and promote sustainable practices.
She recounted that the National Democratic Congress flagbearer aims to refocus local energies on creating alternative livelihoods for those involved in the activities of illegal mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”, thereby reducing dependency on illegal mining.
Among several measures, Mrs Mogtari stated that former President John Dramani Mahama, when elected into office shall ban mining in all forest reserves across the country to protect Ghana’s forest reserves and biodiversity.
She further indicated that former President John Dramani Mahama will undertake regulatory reforms, including introducing new policies and amending existing regulations to better manage mining activities in the country.
Additionally, Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq underscored the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to utilizing artificial intelligence, including employing AI tools for mapping mining areas, early detection, and control of illegal mining operations.
She added that the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, former President John Dramani Mahama, when elected as President will engage traditional leaders and key stakeholders in mining communities to ensure compliance with sustainable mining practices.
Mrs Mogtari, thus emphasized that the next National Democratic Congress administration under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama will commit seriously to protecting the country’s environment and securing the health of all citizens.
Former President John Dramani Mahama recently underscored the urgent need for the country to address the environmental and economic impacts of illegal mining.
The National Democratic Congress flagbearer, speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining held at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, emphasized the critical role mining plays in Ghana’s economy but voiced grave concerns about the devastating effects of illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey in the country.
Mr Mahama strongly asserted that the activities of illegal mining have severely impacted the country’s natural resources and communities, posing a severe and immediate threat to the country’s environment, citizens’ health, and economy.
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