Akufo-Addo doesn’t know Mahama’s position on galamsey - Mustapha Gbande

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has accused President Nana Akufo-Addo of encouraging illegal mining in the country, thereby resulting in the pollution of its river bodies.

He said there are many appointees under Akufo-Addo who are polluting river bodies and destroying forest reserves in search of gold are being shielded to endanger the lives of millions of Ghanaians in gold-ming areas.

Gbande’s comment comes on the back of Akufo-Addo’s call on the flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to clarify his stance on the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

During a thank-you tour in the North East region, President Akufo-Addo criticized Mahama for what he described as contradictory and inconsistent statements regarding the issue of galamsey, urging Mahama to articulate a clear and firm position on how he plans to tackle the challenges posed by illegal mining.

“Today, he p[Mahama] is saying that, no, he doesn’t believe in jail, that he’s against galamsey, and he will enforce the law. So once again, we have to ask ourselves, mister JM, where do you stand?” he quizzed.

He went on to further ask, “What are you telling the people of Ghana? Because every time you speak, you speak from one corner of your mouth, and you speak from another corner of your mouth. Let us hear from you direct, straight up what do you stand for?”

Reacting to Akufo-Addo’s comments on TV XYZ Mdday News, Mustapha Gbande said the president was being mischievous with a a serious issue that threatens the very lives of Ghanaians who voted him to power.

According to him, Akufo-Addo has nothing meaningful to tell Ghanaians after he mismanaged the country in the past 7 years and has no legacy to show for his stewardship.

“He is asking what John Mahama will do to tackle galamsey when elected. When we launched our manifesto in Winneba and highlighted that we will ensure responsible mining, was President Akufo-Addo asleep? Didn’t he hear?” he questioned.

He continued, “When Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, our Running Mate, was telling Ghanaians that we will encourage proper mining that will not destroy our water bodies, did Akufo-Addo not hear her?….Well our policy is that we will not allow people tomine in forest reserves like we are seeing under this corrupt NPP government where appointees are the ones leading the destruction of our forests and rivers.”

Gbande argued that Akufo-Addo has no moral right to speak on tackling tyhe menace because people working for his government are involved in galamsey which has had a negative impact on Ghana’s environmental landscape and the livelihoods of many citizens.

Although he underscored the significant impact of galamsey on the country, Gbande asked Akufo-Addo to “stop sleeping in public and follow the NDC’s policies on mining.”

“Even Akufo-Addo, the one who sleeps in public says he has done well for Ghana yet he has sunk this country than he met it. He should stop sleeping and follow the discourse and he will find the answers he is seeking,” he told Beposohemaa Nana Oforiwaa Amanfo in Akan.

Recently, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang while on a tour of the Western Region said the next NDC government will put structures and policies together to ensure that galamsey does not destroy river bodies and other water sources like in other countries.

Unlike the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government that has overseen the destruction of many water bodies as a result of illegal mining, the NDC Running Mate noted that the NDC will instead modify the trade to ensure that jobs are created for the youth in the hinterland.

“We are bringing good policies and structures to ensure that illegal mining is done without destroying water bodies like it is done in other advanced countries. In Amenfi East we know there is galamsey happening here but the next NDC government will put good policies together to ensure responsible mining devoid of the destruction of waterbodies while also creating the needed jobs.”

“The NPP government has failed in the fight against illegal mining overseeing the destruction of many waterbodies and rivers. The 24-hour economy policy will also ensure that the needed jobs are created which will also benefit those who cannot do galamsey,” she stated.