Salam Mustapha is the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party
The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has stated that he will hold President John Dramani Mahama and his administration accountable for the ongoing illegal mining activities in certain parts of the country.
Mustapha pointed out that during the NDC’s time in opposition, the government at the time, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was blamed for the rise of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
He further highlighted how former President Akufo-Addo was subjected to criticisms and name-callings by elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were in opposition.
Mustapha described the incumbent government’s efforts to combat illegal mining as a failure, asserting that he would hold President Mahama accountable with the same level of scrutiny and criticism that the opposition directed at President Akufo-Addo regarding the issue.
“Sorry, but sir you have failed already. Minister of Defence, you have despaired this early? Then the situation is hopeless! All of you hanged this problem on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and called him all sorts of names. In the same vein, President John Dramani Mahama carries the cross. We will hang him just like his predecessor was hanged,” he posted on Facebook on March 10, 2025.
Salam Mustapha was reacting to a stern warning issued by the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, to individuals engaged in illegal and irresponsible mining, urging them to cease their actions.
In a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, the minister urged individuals to blend patriotism with religion and stop illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey, which poses a threat to Ghana’s forest reserves.
“In the name of God and Ghana, stop galamsey! No human being resides in the forest reserves! In the name of God and Ghana, stay away from the forest reserves and galamsey. A word to the wise is enough!” he warned.
In the post dated March 10, 2025, the minister, hinting that the government might take drastic measures, urged those interested in mining to regularise their activities through licensing.
“Stop galamsey! If you’re interested in mining, seek the necessary regulatory permits. We’ll not talk much,” he emphasised.
MAG/AE
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