Today in 2012: I'll not eradicate 'galamsey' - Nana Addo

In October 2012, the then flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a promise to Ghanaians that, if elected into office as President he will not clamp down on illegal small scale mining known as ‘galamsey’.

Speaking at his Restoration Tour in the Western region, he stated that stopping the practice will deprive the youth of their jobs. Adding that, measures will be put in place to rather regularize illegal mining which has polluted our water bodies including River Pra and River Ankobra.

Fast forward to 2017, Nana Akufo-Addo after being elected into office as the president, waged war against ‘galamsey’ by setting up a Military Police Joint Task Force known as Operation Vanguard to combat the menace.

Read the full story originally published on October 25, 2012, on Ghanaweb

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he will not clamp down on illegal small scale mining, popularly known as Galamsey if his party comes to power.

According to Nana Addo, eradicating galamsey will mean depriving young people of jobs.

He stated that he will rather regularize it and put it under the category of small scale mining and ensure that people who engage in such activities are certified.

Nana Akufo Addo made the promise as part of his Restoration Tour of the Western region.

Nana Addo’s press Aide Herbert Krapah in an interview with XYZ News said the NPP flagbearer also hopes to revive the Abosso Glass factory near Tarkwa which has been shut down for some time now.