Pressure group OccupyGhana has threatened to use legal means to compel President Akufo Addo and his NPP government to act responsively towards the fight against illegal mining, popularly known among Ghanaians as “Galamsey’’ if they fail to do what is right.
The group issued the threat in an open letter to the country’s sitting president over what they describe as “Government’s sheer inability, total unpreparedness and/or blatant unwillingness’’ to enforce illegal mining laws of the country.
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The letter signed by leadership of the group dated Wednesday 28 September 2022 and copied to all media houses across Ghana stated the group will continue to issue a weekly reminder to government until it sees firm action taken.
OccupyGhana accused President Akufo Addo and appointees of his government of paying lip services to the war against the menace that is destroying the Ghanaian environment and its ecosystem.
Leadership of the pressure group says it’s about time the people of Ghana became citizens of the land than spectators as he, the President preached in his inaugural speech.
OccupyGhana is dumbfounded and baffled by the “absolute impotence’’ posture of President Akufo Addo and members of his government in the face of the wanton destruction of lands and poisoning the country’s water bodies.
The petitioners believe the futility of the fight, despite available resources at the disposal of the presidency and the government only gives credence to rumours and public perception that the very authorities resourced to battle the activity, are rather the kingpins and direct beneficiaries of the plunder.
The group said it would be an embarrassment on the part of the president to be dragged before the law to explain why he has failed in his mandate to protect the integrity of the land entrusted to his care.
OccupyGhana besought the president to assess the current state of illegal mining in the country in reflection to his 10th July 2017 pledge and see if he is not already failing and betraying the trust reposed in him by the people.
They therefore advised Akufo Addo to wake up from his perceived slumber and work his talk.
***Read the full content of Pressure group OccupyGhana Open Letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the illegal mining fight in Ghana.
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO ON GALAMSEY
Mr President:
The main problem with unlicensed mining in Ghana (‘Galamsey’) and the increasing scourge it has become, is the Government’s sheer inability, total unpreparedness and/or blatant unwillingness to enforce the law. We are befuddled and dumbstruck at the Government’s absolute impotence, in the face of the brazen destruction of our lands and wanton poisoning of our water bodies.
Every law required to regulate the mining industry exists. Every Government agency required to enforce the law (namely the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, the police, the courts and even the military) exists. Every district, municipality and metropolis in which Galamsey takes place has a fully-paid Chief Executive supported by an Authority and Assembly.
There are chiefs in all of those towns and villages where the plunder happens. These people cannot feign ignorance and pretend to be innocent in this matter. What is going on defies reason and only gives support and credence to the popular rumour or belief that the very persons who should be fighting this crime, are rather those involved in and benefitting from it.
On 10 July 2017, the presidency.gov.gh website reported that you called the bluff of Galamsey operators and stated that you would put your presidency on the line for the Galamsey fight. You are reported to have added that ‘IT WILL BE A BETRAYAL OF THE TRUST IMPOSED ON ME IF I FAIL TO END THIS.’
KSubsequently, you have repeated this pledge in various forms. However, your bold statements are ringing hollow and have petered out; you are failing and, in your own words, betraying the trust reposed in you. Sir, can you simply ensure that the law, namely the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear and favour and irrespective of whose ox is gored?
For our part, we will send a reminder to you every Monday, until we see firm action to stamp this crime out. If that fails, we will shame your government by going to court to compel the Government to sit up and do its job! That is not a threat, sir; it is a promise.
Yours in the service of God and Country,
OccupyGhana
cc. All Media Houses
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