'Mahama doesn't talk basabasa' - Bridget Otoo defends AI to fight galamsey comment

Media personality Bridget Otoo has defended former President John Dramani Mahama's recent proposal to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool in combating illegal mining in Ghana.

Bridget Otoo emphasized that Mahama's statements are not made lightly and are always backed by research.

In a post on social media on May 15, 2024, she urged the public to await further details from Mahama’s campaign team regarding the implementation of the said policy.

“You should know by now that @JDMahama doesn’t talk basabasa, whatever he says is grounded in research.

“Even when I heard about AI in the fight against mining I had to raise eyebrow and then started reading.

“It’s fascinating and I cannot wait in the coming days for them to break it down cos we really need our water bodies cleaned. People are getting all kinds of diseases because of illegal mining and if investment in AI will help us identify illegal sites and deal with it to save lives… why not…”

As the 2024 elections approach, Mahama has pledged to leverage advanced technology to address the pressing issue of illegal mining, also known as "galamsey," which has caused severe environmental degradation and health issues in various communities.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani on May 15, 2024, Mahama emphasized that if elected in the 2024 general elections, his administration would utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and monitor all small-scale mining and galamsey operations.

"We will introduce and encourage technological innovation to improve capacity for coordinated monitoring of the small-scale mining sector and reduce environmental impact.

"This will include using AI to locate all small-scale mining and galamsey operations, track excavators, and geo-fence all concessions to ensure mining operations are not conducted in unapproved areas, including water bodies,” he said.

You should know by now that @JDMahama doesn’t talk basabasa, whatever he says is grounded in research.

Even when I heard about AI in the fight against mining I had to raise eyebrow and then started reading.

It’s fascinating and I cannot wait in the coming days for them to…

— Bee (@Bridget_Otoo) May 15, 2024