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The battle against illegal mining, also called ‘galamsey,’ remains a key topic in political discussions.
Prof Eric Abavare, the President of UTAG at KNUST, has commented on the involvement of former President John Dramani Mahama in tackling the issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
Prof Eric Abavare stated that Mahama is not eligible to come back as president because of how his previous administration dealt with illegal mining operations.
Galamsey has emerged as a major environmental and socio-political problem in Ghana.
The activity has resulted in the deterioration of water sources, loss of trees, and erosion of soil, leading to long-lasting damage to the nation’s environment.
Attempts to reduce galamsey have produced a varied outcome, with various administrations implementing different approaches, but the issue persists.
Prof. Eric Abavare criticized Mahama’s recent comments, specifically his pledge during the 2020 election to pardon all those jailed for illegal mining under Akufo-Addo’s rule if he wins.
Prof. Abavare believes that Mahama’s past indecisiveness makes him ineligible to lead the country again.
During an interview with Joy News on Thursday, September 12, 2024, Prof Eric Abavare criticized Mahama for supporting galamsey operators, also known as illegal small-scale miners.
“He doesn’t even qualify to be the president of Ghana,” Prof Abavare remarked.
“This issue of galamsey, we know the solution, we know those involved, we know what we can do to solve it. The issue is that we don’t want to do it,” he lamented.
He, also, called the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) former leader President Nana Akufo-Addo a “big liar – I am sad because I have to say this on-air.”
“Once upon a time, when issues of Prof Frimpong Boateng, the former minister of environment, was seizing people’s excavators, the president made us believe he was doing the wrong thing…
“Nana Addo has all the powers to stop galamsey if he wants to. The point is that he doesn’t want to,” he added. “He has all it takes to stop galamsey now… If they are not willing to solve the problem, they must not be in office,” Prof Abavare noted.
Prof Abavare said: “If the president really wants to solve it, he will say that from now on he does not want to see any earthmoving machine on our road anywhere. That statement alone will suffice.”
He stated that the ex-president did not have the determination to enforce tough measures to stop illegal mining during his time in office.
NKONKONSA.com
