Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has issued a challenge to political parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to sign a “binding national anti-galamsey pact”.
The pact aims to demonstrate a commitment to fighting illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which poses a significant threat to the environment and human life.
Dr. Prempeh urged religious leaders, especially the church, to lead the process of engaging stakeholders to develop this national anti-galamsey pact.
The proposed pact should outline a comprehensive roadmap to finding permanent solutions to the galamsey menace.
Dr. Prempeh made this appeal while addressing the 13th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowship at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
With the country preparing for elections on December 7, Dr. Prempeh stressed the importance of political parties showing their dedication to combating galamsey by signing the proposed pact.
He questioned former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, citing past incidents where NDC officials were reportedly seen encouraging illegal miners.
Dr. Prempeh also referenced Mahama’s 2020 promise to grant amnesty to imprisoned illegal miners if elected, further questioning his stance on the issue.
Despite setbacks, Dr. Prempeh assured the church and Ghanaians that the NPP remains resolute in its fight against illegal mining and would willingly sign the anti-galamsey pact.
Dr. Prempeh challenged the opposition to present their blueprint for addressing the galamsey issue and commit to the proposed anti-galamsey pact, encouraging a campaign that prioritizes Ghana’s long-term interests over short-term political gains.
