I’m Against Galamsey – Nana Tells Chiefs

President Nana Akufo-Addo interacting with some school children after inaugurating the ICT facility. Pix by Gifty Ama Lawson

President Akufo-Addo yesterday cut the tape to commission the Akyem Wenchi Educational Circuit Community Information Centre, at Soabre, in the Eastern Region.

The project is named Prof and Mrs SKB Asante Information and Communication Centre (ICT).

Addressing the chiefs and people of the area, the president could not hide his abhorrence for illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

He said he had heard some Ghanaians who are neck deep in the illegal mining threatening to kick his government out of power at the next polls, if he and his team continue to pursue galamseyers.

Unfazed
“I understand the galamseyers say if I want to go by the dictates of the law, they will vote against me and my party the NPP at the next elections,” he said in Twi with same translated into English.

But Nana Akufo-Addo, who is barely four months in office, said, “What is important to me is to do what God has asked me to come and do, which involves programmes and policies that will lead Ghana on the path of development. That is more important to me than election matters.”

His reason was, “Our forefathers bequeathed these lands to us; if we can't put them to good use, it's better we leave them in the state we came to find them but not to destroy them. That is what has led to this war against galamsey.”

Contrary to claims that he and his government were trying to stop mining in its entirety, President Akufo-Addo emphasized, “I have not said I'm against mining because mining did not start in Ghana today; it started from the days of our forefathers. What I have said is that I am against those who are going to mine our resources illegally – illegal mining, that is what I'm against because it is affecting us as a people.”

He noted, “Today, Kyebi, Birim, Densu are all in a sorry state and almost destroyed because of the activities and operations of these illegal miners.”

He therefore stated emphatically, “We can't continue to go on like this. Mining along the water bodies cannot continue if we want to preserve the nature in our system.”

President Akufo-Addo could not help but thank Prof and Mrs SKB Asante for the kind gesture shown the chiefs and people of the area.

On his part, Prof SKB Asante extolled the virtues of Nana Akufo-Addo, touting him as one of the best presidents the country has ever had in its history.

He was more than confident the president would lead Ghana to the path of development.

Responding to an appeal by the Oseawuohene, Daasebre Asumadu Appiah II, for government to help fix the deplorable roads in the area, President Akufo-Addo assured of his government's commitment to fix the road networks in the country.

He also promised to assist the communities have access to potable drinking water.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent