The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has made serious allegations against the former New Patriotic Party administration, claiming they targeted individuals who spoke out against illegal mining. According to Gyamfi, the fight against galamsey was misdirected under former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He stated that people who campaigned against the practice became targets of government action instead of the perpetrators themselves.
Gyamfi specifically pointed to 2024 as a period when, in his view, the government was fighting those opposed to illegal mining rather than the illegal mining activities themselves. He claimed that some individuals were arrested and put into prison cells for speaking out against galamsey. This approach, he argued, was in stark contrast to the current government's commitment to tackling the issue.
The former administration's approach to addressing galamsey has been a subject of controversy. Gyamfi contrasted their approach with that of President John Dramani Mahama, arguing that the current government had demonstrated a stronger commitment to tackling galamsey and protecting the country's natural resources.
Under the Akufo-Addo administration, the focus seemed to shift from targeting the perpetrators of galamsey to targeting those who campaigned against it. Gyamfi's comments suggest that this approach was misguided and may have undermined efforts to effectively address the issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
Gyamfi's allegations have sparked a renewed debate about the government's approach to addressing galamsey. The issue of illegal mining has significant environmental and economic implications for Ghana, and the effectiveness of the government's approach has been a subject of discussion among stakeholders.
The current government's commitment to tackling galamsey has been highlighted as a positive step towards addressing the issue. However, the legacy of the previous administration's approach continues to be felt, with Gyamfi's comments drawing attention to the need for a more effective and sustainable solution to the problem of illegal mining.
The Ghana Gold Board, under Gyamfi's leadership, is expected to play a key role in addressing the issue of galamsey. His comments are likely to contribute to a more informed discussion about the most effective ways to tackle the problem and protect Ghana's natural resources.
Key points
- Sammy Gyamfi accuses Akufo-Addo administration of targeting anti-galamsey campaigners
- Gyamfi claims 2024 was a period when government fought those opposed to illegal mining
- Current government has demonstrated stronger commitment to tackling galamsey - Gyamfi
