Awo Kekeli, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, has stated that the government has begun implementing its strategies to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
She acknowledged that progress was still in its early stages but emphasized that the NDC was committed to fulfilling its manifesto promises on the issue.
“It’s early days yet, and whatever we promised, we’ve started doing it. It’s not like we came and there was a foundation that was good but we can’t build on it. No. You see, when you are building and the foundation is good, you don’t struggle”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
She compared the current administration’s situation to that of the previous government, explaining that some governments inherited well-structured systems that allowed them to take off smoothly.
However, she argued that the NDC had met a poor foundation in the fight against illegal mining, as a result of the NPP’s legacy, making its work more challenging.
“I remember 2017 when they were saying that we have done this, we have done that. I’ll ask them, how many days have you been in power? It’s because you found a foundation that was good, so it was easy for you to build on and flourish”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
According to her, the previous government’s approach to tackling galamsey had failed to produce any meaningful results.
She pointed out that despite the bold claims made during the campaign period, there was little to show for their efforts in addressing the crisis.
“It’s unfortunate what we met,” she lamented.
In Kekeli’s opinion, the NPP government did not set the stage for the NDC to take over and make meaningful strides in its early days in office too.
This has made all efforts against galamsey by the Mahama government a fresh takeoff, subject to environmental drag and resistance. Regardless of this setback she expressed optimism and hope.
“The promise we gave in our manifesto, we are on course, and there is no way we will not fight this thing”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
Delivering Promises
Kekeli noted that President John Dramani Mahama has made it clear that his administration would not waste time “lamenting or blaming,” the previous government for its failures.
“He’s not going to complain about what somebody did and did not do. We promised the good people of Ghana, they gave us a massive vote and so we can’t be seen complaining or blaming someone and all that”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
According to her, the NDC is focused on delivering on its commitments. She stressed that the party was aware of the responsibility given to it by the electorate and has no intention of disappointing Ghanaians.
Instead of engaging in political blame games, the NDC aims to take concrete steps to address the galamsey problem.
“We just have to fulfill our promises. We just have to make sure that whatever we told them, we are doing it”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
Strategy to Curb Galamsey
Kekeli outlined one of the government’s key strategies in tackling galamsey, which involves providing alternative employment opportunities for young people engaged in illegal mining.
She noted that many of those involved in galamsey were not career miners but rather unemployed youth looking for ways to survive.
“We promised we were going to make sure that those boys and girls they were using – I call them boys and girls because, mostly, they are not grown ups – to do this mining get jobs, and get them out of the pit”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
She argued that if young people had legitimate employment options that paid them consistently, they would be less likely to engage in illegal mining.
In her view, many of them joined galamsey operations not out of choice but out of economic desperation.
“If they have something to do and they know that at the end of the month, they’ll be paid, I don’t think any land guard or any contractor will come and tell them that I have a concession, go and mine on it, and we’ll see them running because they’re looking for bread and butter”
Awo Kekeli, NDC Communication Team Member
To address this, she emphasized the need to provide training, grooming, and resources for young people, equipping them with skills that would enable them to earn a livelihood through legal means.
Kekeli’s remarks reflect the NDC’s broader strategy for tackling illegal mining – an approach centered on economic empowerment rather than solely relying on enforcement.
The government’s position suggests that while security measures remain important, the long-term solution lay in addressing the root causes of the issue, particularly unemployment and economic hardship.
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