Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on political parties, especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to show their commitment to combating illegal mining (galamsey) by signing a “binding national anti-Galamsey pact.”
“Water is life, and we must raise our voices. No one should be allowed to mine irresponsibly or illegally. Under no circumstances should anyone be permitted to mine in our river bodies. We are not a lawless country where people can claim land due to their strength and prospects for gold anywhere they please. Everyone must abide by the laws of the country.
Dr Prempeh said, “Small-scale and responsible mining is beneficial. In fact, the Lord placed more gold on this earth than anything else because that resource is meant for the country’s development, not its destruction.
Those who care about this country don’t want to see our water bodies and forests destroyed. When the last tree dies, the last man dies. If there’s no water, there’s no life” he noted.
He added, “If for political reasons you go and promise, like President Mahama did, to grant amnesty for illegal mining, how irresponsible is that?’
“No party wants to lose an election, especially a party like ours that has worked hard for the country. We’ve brought Free SHS, kept the lights on for eight years, created 2.3 million jobs, promoted vocational and technical training, supported NHIS, and are building 111 hospitals across the country. “We deserve to continue the work we’ve started—not to build mortuaries in Zongo but to provide health and development for all.”
