A senior campaign advisor to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has asked those protesting against illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’, to go to the areas where the act is ongoing to resolve their issues.
He says those embarking on the protests should go to the areas where the illegal mining is ongoing to engage the residents there since galamsey is not practiced in Accra.
Kwabena Agyepong says the protestors are using illegal mining as a decoy to create disaffection for the ruling party as the December election nears.
“What is happening is very sad for our country. We don’t do galamsey in Accra if you are serious about it, you’ve to go to the areas and engage with the people,” he said on Channel One TV Monday, October 07, 2024.
According to him, the hullabaloo about the demonstrations and calls for a ban and declaration of a state of emergency are meant to rubbish the achievements of the party as the elections beckon.
There is a growing concern over the increasing menace of illegal mining in the country sparking series of demonstrations including a recent one by Democracy Hub which led to the arrest and remand of some 53 participants where some were bailed Monday.
But the NPP stalwart says people are trying to paint a negative image of the current government by amplifying the challenges related to illegal mining.
Despite admitting galamsey remains a serious issue in the country, he maintained that the NPP government has done its best in trying to mitigate the challenge.
He stressed that the current NPP government has taken more decisive action on the matter compared to previous governments.
The former General Secretary of the NPP, in his conclusion, urged Ghanaians not to be swayed by the protestors and focus on the broader achievements of the NPP government as the 2024 elections draw closer.
“…[If you have genuine concerns] You will not be creating or orchestrating chaos in the country…At that time all the people making noise, were they not in this country? So what has changed? With 60 days to elections, what has changed? In the heat of a campaign.”
“We have elections, if it’s a genuine concern, then the proponents of that should have a plan and sit with the two key parties,” he stated.
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