NPP Scribe Blasts Mahama Over Galamsey

Sam Pyne

The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sam Pyne has lambasted the Mahama administration for poorly tackling 'galamsey,' popularly known as illegal mining in the country.

He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had politicized the issue.

Mr. Pyne alleged that members of the taskforce formed by government recently to tackle the menace were being selective in the discharge of their duties.

The NPP scribe claimed some concessions had been targeted, insisting that 'galamsey' operators, who are known NDC members, were being left off the hook.

He said illegal mining, which was contributing to the destruction of the forest and river bodies, was a major concern to every patriotic Ghanaian but warned that 'we should approach it without any fear of favour.'

Anybody that is practising illegal mining should be brought to book for justice to take its course, Mr. Pyne insisted.

Speaking on radio, Mr. Pyne criticized the taskforce for using excessive force in dealing with small-scale miners, an action which caused them to commit unpardonable blunders.

He said the taskforce had been accused of violently attacking Ghanaians engaged in legitimate small-scale mining with the requisite documentation and approval.

Mr. Pyne alleged that the taskforce had seized mining equipment of legitimate small-scale miners, adding that there had been reports that members of the taskforce looted gold, money and set mining equipment on fire.

From all indications, President Mahama has lost control of the country and this has allowed people to take the law into their hands by acting lawlessly, he said.

Mr. Pyne said the President's orders had been violated by the current ministers and party members, stressing that the development had discredited the highest office of the land.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi