An Open Letter To President Mahama On The Selective Justice In The Fight Against Galamsey Activities

Dear President Mahama!
I extend warm felicitations to you, and I hope you are fit as a fiddle whenever you are, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Admittedly, galamsey activities have caused the nation, particularly when it comes to the destruction of our forest reserves and water bodies.

In addition, the negative impact of illegal mining activities is not only on the above-mentioned, but also on the health of people living in these areas and beyond.

Mr. President, we are all aware that the illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey are a national security matter considering their huge negative impact on the lives of people and our forest reserves and water bodies.

However, as a citizen, I'm equally worried and disappointed about the measures put in place in the fight against galamsey despite all the state resources being used to nip it in the bud.

For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. President, just quite recently you admitted that your own Party members are engaged in these cruel activities of illegal mining.

Given the above, I expected that the fight would have been genuine, devoid of the perceived selective justice by shielding your own members who are involved.

As I indicated, we are all in support of the fight against the menace of galamsey activities in some parts of the Country.

As a concerned citizen, I'm taken aback and also disgusted with the turn of events when a group of people is being targeted, and others are being left to continue their illegality.

Mr. President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, you must uphold and defend the democratic rights of all manner of people irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, etc.

Fast forward, Aowin Member of Parliament, Hon. Oscar Larbi, Mr. Yamin, and Yakubu Abanga, who are all members of this current government, were accused of engaging in illegal mining.

For clarity, Hon. Oscar Larbi, who is a legislator and a lawmaker, was banished from his traditional area by the Chiefs for his deep involvement in galamsey, and we have not heard anything about it.

To add, Mr. Yamin and Mr. Yakubu Abanga, who were also accused of their involvement in galamsey activities, are walking freely.

Mr. President, the Attorney General submitted Mr. Yamin and Mr. Yakubu Abanga's case to EOCO for them to be properly investigated.

Quite surprisingly, we have not heard anything convincing about the outcome, but Chairman Wontimi has been jailed for 20 years in hard labour.

Taking into consideration the above, Mr. President, it's apparently clear that there's selective justice in the fight against galamsey activities.

Under normal circumstances, why is it that NDC members who are openly engaged in galamsey activities are being protected and shielded?

Why is it that NPP members are being targeted simply because they are not part of the current government? This speaks volumes about your readiness to fight galamsey.

In summary, Mr. President, Ghanaians are watching you and the government, and you must act fairly on the treatment meted out to those accused of engaging in galamsey.

Galamsey activities won't be won through selective justice and a travesty of justice when the current government members are being protected and shielded from wrongdoing.

May God save us!
By: Abdulai Abdul-Razak
Tamale South Constituency
abdulrazakabdulai940@gmail.com

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