The leader of the People’s Liberation Front, Mr Ntim Agyarko has said both the NPP and NDC are only using lip service to fight against illegal mining also known as galamsey in the country.
Speaking to this portal, he disclosed that the nation’s fight against illegal mining has been fought by the NDC and NPP governments with slogans and lip service. Mr Ntim Agyarko stated that there has been no policy direction by past and successive governments against galamsey other than slogans and promises.
He stressed that the hierarchy of governments from DCEs, MCEs, Ministers, MPs and party leaders have been the chief culprits and perpetrators of the destructive illegal mining.
“The galamsey menace is indeed ruining our environment and our water bodies,” he told Awakenewsroom.
He criticized the governments of the NDC and NPP under the leadership of both Mr Mahama and Akufo-Addo for the hypocrisy of their promises and actions regarding the galamsey in the country.
Mr Ntim Agyarko shot down John Dramani Mahama’s suggestion of using artificial intelligence (AI) to fight galamsey, saying it is another gimmick to continue fooling Ghanaians.
He maintained that any government serious about ending illegal mining or galamsey would have to offer a viable and sustainable job creation program for the youth, stop issuing licenses for surface mining and provide short-term technical training in safe and sustainable mining practices.
Additionally, the government must ensure that practices in the industry adhere strictly to approved mining guidelines including equipment, procedures, safety, health and environmental regulations/standards.
Mr Ntim Agyarko bemoaned the current administration’s efforts in fighting galamsey, saying it was doomed to fail from the onset because the mining industry in Ghana is unregulated.
“Ghana deserves a far better standard of leadership in all aspects of national life. In general, actions and inaction of the present government on several issues are bound to create great burdens and challenges with dire consequences for future governments and even generations yet unborn,” Ntim Agyarko noted.
He said a PLF-led administration would set up a Venture Capital Fund to be managed by banks under more generous terms of repayments to help finance a private sector-led industrial and technology. revolution.
