Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on political parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to demonstrate their commitment to combating illegal mining, or galamsey, by signing a “binding national anti-galamsey pact.”
He encouraged religious leaders, especially the church, to spearhead efforts to engage stakeholders in developing this national anti-galamsey pact. The proposed pact, according to Dr. Prempeh, would provide a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the galamsey issue, which poses significant threats to both the environment and human life.
Dr. Prempeh, popularly known as “Napo,” made this appeal during the 13th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowship, held at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
As the country heads towards the December 7 elections and in light of the ongoing national debate on illegal mining, he emphasized the need for political parties to show their commitment by signing the pact, which would be based on a national consensus.
Dr. Prempeh questioned former President John Dramani Mahama’s dedication to fighting illegal mining, referencing past instances where NDC officials allegedly supported illegal miners and Mahama’s 2020 campaign promise to grant amnesty to jailed illegal miners.
Despite setbacks, Dr. Prempeh reassured Ghanaians and the church that the NPP remains firmly committed to the fight against illegal mining. He stated that under the leadership of Dr. Bawumia and himself, the NPP is ready to sign the proposed anti-galamsey pact as a demonstration of their resolve.
He also pointed to the NPP’s 2024 manifesto, which includes a detailed plan to combat illegal mining, encourage responsible small-scale mining, and protect the environment and water bodies.
Dr. Prempeh expressed concern that the NDC and its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, have not clearly presented their plan for addressing the galamsey issue. He urged the opposition to share their strategy for the sector and commit to the anti-galamsey pact, calling for a campaign that prioritizes Ghana’s long-term welfare over short-term political interests.