Dr. Nana Agyenim Boateng, the Founder and Leader of the United Front Party has called for the de-politicisation of the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey” in the local parlance.
Dr. Boateng, popularly known as Gyataba, disclosed at a press conference in Kumasi yesterday,
that a holistic and collective approach will be the game changer to tackle the “canker”, rather than resorting to demonstrations that could cause total economic shutdown.
According to Gyataba, this was not the expedient way of fighting the menace, adding that irresponsible mining was not only an environmental issue, but also a matter of injustice and a health risk to present and future generations.
“This is a long-term thing to fight, we cannot just give such a short ultimatum to the government, it is not fair. I think the President should also take advantage of the public outcry as support to take a decisive decision on this. The whole country is united to fight the menace”, Gyataba noted.
Gyataba further advised civil society organisations not to politicise the matter, bearing in mind that the issue at hand goes beyond politics, noting that the menace should be addressed devoid of politics, so we can have positive results.
The UFP founder also called on traditional authorities (Nananom) to help the government in the fight against galamsey, because they are custodians of the land and know areas that are not suitable for mining.
Gyataba suggested that clauses should be included in prospective mining licenses, so that miners would have to call on the chief of the area, before commencement to help the government in the fight against galamsey.
Gyataba also entreated all and sundry to sit and find a better solution to the menace because “it is a national issue”.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
