Michael Donyina Mensah, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Awareness and Opinion
Michael Donyina Mensah, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Awareness and Opinion (CenPOA), claims that Ghanaians are losing faith in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s ability to put an end to illegal mining activities known as galamsey.
Michael Donyina Mensah stated that it is a bit too early to conclude that the NDC’s commitment to the fight against galamsey was inadequate, given the promises made in opposition.
But was quick to add that it appears they are not demonstrating any seriousness towards the fight against illegal mining.
He opined that it would not be wrong to declare that the NDC is being slow in the fight against galamsey.
“First of all, I will state that it is a bit too early to say that the NDC is not demonstrating commitment in the fight against galamsey.
“But on the other hand, we have noticed that the seriousness with which Ghanaians thought they would tackle the galamsey is not there. So, you would be right in saying that their commitment in the fight against galamsey has been slow,’’ he said on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
He argued that while in opposition and judging from commentary made by President John Dramani Mahama, it appeared as if only members of the NPP and former appointees of the previous government were involved in galamsey.
“But it has now become clear that members of the NDC are also engaged in galamsey, and so if we reduce the galamsey menace to NDC and NPP politics, it would be extremely difficult to fight it.”
He noted that one of the most important things the NDC should have done to fulfil their campaign promises was to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allowed mining in forest reserves rather than to amend it.