The Chief Crusader of the Crusaders Against Corruption, Mr. Emmanuel Wilson Jnr has told Tema-Community2-base Plan-B FM that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government has lost the fight against illegal small-scale mining, which is popularly known in Ghana as ‘galamsey’.
Explaining the rationale behind his criticism of the Akufo-led government, the anti-corruption campaigner, noted that one did not need to look far to agree with him as activities of illegal mining are still taking place at areas known for these activities.
speaking to Edmund Ohene Kinnah, host of Plan-B FM’s current show, Ebaanosen, Emmanuel Wilson noted that current happenings in these areas have clearly exposed the lapses in government’s quest to stop the menace of illegal mining.
He wondered what had become of President Akufo-Addo’s promise to eradicate ‘galamsey’ prior to assuming office as president of Ghana. “The truth is that ‘galamsey’ has now become so pervasive that persons who are engaged in the illegal act no longer hide to do it in the forest but rather do that it in the middle of our communities” he remarked.
He mentioned that one of the factors that have contributed the lost against the ‘galamsey’ fight is the fact that some people close to the president himself are actively engaging in the illegal act. “How are you able to stop ‘galamsey’ when the very people who are in power and supposed to stop these illegal activities are the same people are hugely benefitting from it?” the anti-corruption campaigner asked.
According to him there is no point in being diplomatic about the current state of the fight against ‘galamsey’ and added that doing so is being dishonest. He told Plan-B FM and its listeners that he finds it rather bizarre when he hears certain person touting the achievements of President Akufo-Addo and quickly add the fight against ‘galamsey’.
“My brother the truth is that we have not been victorious (in the fight against ‘galamsey’) as being suggested by certain persons especially persons who speak for government. Go round the country especially in areas where these illegal activities are taking place and you will understand why I am saying this. It is sad and shameful,” he stated.
Touching on the impact of these illegal activities, the anti-corruption campaigner revealed that ‘galamsey’ activities have destroyed vast farmlands, including Cocoa plantations. He also added that Ghana has lost heavily in the area of foreign exchange because gold mined illegally were also sold illegally thereby denying the country its share of what could have been used in improving the lives of Ghanaians.
Concluding, he pointed out it is same situation that has encouraged the involvement of expatriates especially the Chinese into this country. He adds that Ghanaians would not be able to engage in any illegality elsewhere in other parts of the world.
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