Hours after President Akufo-Addo demanded a clear stance on the issue of illegal mining popularly known as galamsey by the 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, the latter has responded.
At a campaign event in Accra on October 17, the former President indicated that his stance on the menace is no secret.
He said it’s been made clear on several occasions citing a lecture at the University of Energy and Natural Resources and during a recent engagement with the clergymen in the country.
“President Akufo-Addo said I should come clearly on galamsey. It looks like he doesn’t live in this country because I have commented on galamsey over and over again. The University of Energy and Natural Resources gave political leaders the top platform to outline their policy on small-scale mining, and for a whole hour, I outlined our policy, after that, there were questions and answers for two hours, we were there for three hours.
“President Akufo-Addo should tell the Jubilee House press to give him my tape on galamsey which I have delivered at the University of Mines and Natural Resources. Recently when I met the clergymen, a part of my speech it was again on galamsey and small-scale mining.”
That notwithstanding, he asserted that it is the responsibility of the incumbent head of state to fight the canker.
“It is his responsibility. The people of Ghana elected him. He is currently the president of Ghana, and it is his responsibility to deal with Galamsey now. I know that after 7th January 2025 when Ghanaians have voted for me, I will take that responsibility and we will stop illegal mining.”
Source:opemsuo.com