The NDC Government has the political zeal to fight Galamsey – Abiwu Deladem
The NDC Communication Team member, Abiwu Deladem, has stated that the party has the political will and a proven record to fight illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking on Kessben TV Kumasi, Deladem explained that he was not against protests, emphasizing that Article 21 (1d) of the 1992 Constitution grants every citizen the right to protest or demonstrate, provided it is done lawfully.
Addressing concerns about the recent protest against the abolition of galamsey, Deladem said the demonstrators themselves later admitted they had recognized the difference between the NDC and the NPP governments.
According to him, while protesters under the NPP were harassed, sprayed with hot water, and intimidated, this time they were not intimidated but rather their concerns were taken into consideration.
Deladem pointed out that the NDC, during its time in office, established a strong track record in tackling illegal mining. He noted that galamsey was effectively dealt with by deploying water guards who worked along rivers and water bodies to ensure that nobody engaged in the act.
He further revealed that the NDC relocated seized excavators to military camps to prevent their misuse. “Every excavator that came into the port were seized were relocated to secure areas. They were only released after proper verification. The main ideology behind the influx of excavators was illegal mining,he stressed.
Deladem also mentioned that the NDC introduced a livelihood program to educate galamsey communities on the dangers of illegal mining while promoting legal and sustainable alternatives. He emphasized that gold mining itself was not a bad thing but needed to be done lawfully to protect forests and water bodies.
He recalled that under the NDC, over 1,000 seized water pumps were handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and distributed to farmers for crop irrigation, proving that the party ensured accountability in the fight against galamsey.
One lessons learned, Deladem said the NDC has corrected mistakes from the past, such as the Hannah Bissiw issue, where seized excavators went missing. To prevent a recurrence, the party formed a unit to monitor and centralize all anti-galamsey operations. “Unlike the NPP, which could not account for seized excavators, the NDC made sure everything was tracked and reported,” he added.
Deladem also disclosed that former President John Dramani Mahama has warned his appointees against participating in galamsey. “Mahama has made it clear that anyone within the NDC who wants to engages in galamsey should evict him or herself from the party. He wants to have the freedom to deal with offenders without compromise. He is focused and determined to fight galamsey,” Deladem concluded.
By:Maame Ama Monyema Dodoo
