NPP Accuses Mahama Administration of Abusing Citizens’ Rights and Failing to Combat Galamsey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slammed the Mahama administration for its handling of alleged corruption cases and its failure to tackle the menace of galamsey. In a press conference, NPP National Director of Communications Richard Ahiagbah expressed concern over the government’s priorities, citing the allocation of GHS 2.711 billion for compensation at the Jubilee House, which exceeds the combined allocations for various development programs.
Ahiagbah criticized the Attorney General for engaging in media trials instead of taking suspects to court, stating that this is persecution, not prosecution. He also accused the government of violating citizens’ democratic rights and complicity in the astronomical growth of illegal mining.
The NPP has called for the revocation of L.I. 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves, and urged Ghanaians to join the fight against galamsey. The party has also criticized the government’s budget priorities, stating that the allocation for compensation at the Jubilee House is significantly higher than the allocation made by the government to transform the lives of millions of young individuals who voted for this government.
The fight to curb galamsey is challenging, but the lack of commitment from this government has exacerbated the situation, leading to the devastation of many of our forests. Currently, mining has devastated 44 out of the 288 forest reserves in Ghana. The NDC is complicit in the astronomical growth of illegal mining because they campaigned actively in galamsey areas with a coded promise, which translates to allowing the boys to engage in galamsey.
President Mahama had promised to repeal L.I. 2462 to end mining in forest reserves, but instead, he has offered to amend the law to remove the president’s power to approve applications to mine in forest reserves. The NPP has stated that amending the instrument will not suffice, and a complete repeal of the law is necessary to ensure a total ban on mining in forests.
The NPP has urged all Ghanaians to join the fight against galamsey to protect the environment and water bodies for themselves and future generations.
