A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, has accused the John Dramani Mahama government of prioritising financial gains over the dangerous impact of illegal mining locally termed as “galamsey” on Ghana’s environment.

Speaking in a recent interview on TV3, the private legal practitioner noted that, contrary to claims that the erstwhile Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government failed to combat “galamsey”, the NPP administration performed better than the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in addressing the menace.

“Who tells you we didn’t do anything about it (galamsey)? In fact, now people are saying that Akufo-Addo was more serious with ‘galamsey’ than President Mahama,” he stated.

Reacting to President Mahama’s recent comment about the state maximising revenue from the mining sector through the operations of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Samuel Atta Akyea expressed skepticism over the government’s commitment to fighting “galamsey”.

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“I am a bit skeptical about the fight against ‘galamsey’. You understand? Because we were run down seriously that we were doing a lot of ‘galamsey’. Now, I heard for the first time, and I was shocked to my soul, that even if it is illegal, insofar as it could rake in five billion dollars via GOLDBOD, we are making some money. So, when we degrade the environment and become a net importer of water; it’s good for the president, so long as we are making some money,” he stated.

He raised concerns over the government’s decision to recall an anti-galamsey taskforce operating under the office of the Inspector General of Police, questioning the government’s justification for the recall.

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“They should be serious about what they are saying. For instance, people are saying the police wanted to give you a helping hand, and you said the police cannot be sure as to who is doing illegal mining and legitimate mining. Did it sound right to you? That the police are so clueless to the point that they don’t know the difference between ‘galamsey’ and valid mining? The police would just be wayward and disturbing people? I don’t believe so,” he added.

GA/VPO

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