Petty galamseyers are languishing in jail while the greater ones are freely going about their destruction – Franklin Cudjoe

Founder of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe Franklin Cudjoe has lamented what he describes as the failed fight against illegal mining (galamsey) by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

In a post on social media, he said it is sad how petty galamseyers are rotting in jail while the big sharks are freely going about causing more destruction.

Franklin Cudjoe shares the view that President Akufo-Addo has failed to deal with illegal mining in his two terms in office although he promised to put his presidency on the line.

"Sad. After 8 years in power, this is the state of Ghanaian rivers due to abject neglect by the state. The president promised to put his presidency on the line if he failed to deal with illegal mining. He failed,” Franklin Cudjoe stated in a post on Facebook.

The IMANI Africa founder continued, “He has even given up saying he has run his race and that the next president should continue from where he failed. Sadly petty galamseyers are languishing in jail while the greater ones are freely going about their destruction with tacit official support. His number two plans to deal with it only if he becomes president. This should not wait to be dealt with after elections. Death and decay do not wait for politicians to take office. Act now.”

The issue of galamsey has become topical in the past year after videos and pictures of ongoing destruction being caused to various river bodies went viral.

Amid criticism of the ruling government, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has argued that the past NDC government should be blamed, insisting that more pollution happened during their time.