Prof Ransford Gyampo, a
Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana has issued an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo, urging immediate action against illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
The letter argues that the government’s previous efforts to combat illegal mining should not be blamed for the party’s poor electoral performance in 2020, emphasizing that local communities often oppose these activities.
It also refutes claims that calls for action are politically motivated ahead of the 2024 elections, asserting that the environmental and health impacts of illegal mining have reached critical levels.
The letter calls for sustained governmental commitment to protect Ghana’s water bodies and public health, urging the president to uphold his oath and prioritize the well-being of Ghanaians over political considerations.
Read the full letter to the President By Prof Ransford Gyampo:
Open Letter to President Akufo Addo on the Fight Against Illegal Mining
Dear Sir,
I belong to a group of Ghanaians who have adopted an uncompromising stance in the fight against illegal mining. It is not out of hatred or malice but out of our sheer desire to push you to act to safeguard the integrity of our water bodies, environment and humanity. As I play a frontline role in pushing harder, I wish to deal with two key propaganda that I am told, are making it difficult for you to fight the menace.
First, it is not true that the abysmal electoral performance of your party in the 2020 elections, was as a result of your initial commitment to fighting illegal mining. It is a palpable lie. The NPP is supposed to be an elitist party. Such parties all over the world, take decisions on the basis of empirical facts. Sir, you have in your Office, a Director of Research who is a great researcher and colleague of mine, in the person of Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah. Kindly ask him for the data on your party’s performance in the 2020 elections in the areas where you sought initially to clampdown on illegal mining activities. You would see that, your initial efforts in fighting illegal mining, never resulted in the abysmal performance of your party in 2020. Rather, the incompetence of your MP Aspirants in the areas, did. The data show that in many of such places, you received more votes than your MP Aspirants.
The simple question is, why were you more popular in the areas where you were fighting illegal mining than your MP Aspirants? If the people wanted to punish your party for fighting illegal mining, they wouldn’t have given you the number of votes you got. Also, it is important I remind you that although some local people do illegal mining, many in the local communities who actually vote, tend to frown on it. Illegal mining is done more, by foreigners who do not even vote. Therefore, the idea that addressing illegal mining would affect the electoral fortunes of the party as a whole, is not backed by any reliable scientific data. If you address the menace now, and if your MPs provide quality representation, your party would win the hearts of many Ghanaians and you may add the success as part of your free SHS legacy.
Secondly, it cannot be true that the call on you to fight against illegal mining is happening just two months to election 2024, and it is aimed at making your party unpopular. Many calls have been made over the years but they’ve never been heeded to with seriousness. Some of us joined in the call at the beginning of the year and you may find out this from the relevant authorities. They simply refused to listen and to act. Illegal mining predates your regime but unfortunately, it is in the twilight of your regime that its devastating impact has been more noticed and felt. That’s why we are all fiery in our demand that the menace be tackled now. We are of the firm belief and conviction that human life and health transcends political power and the paltry proceeds of mining. That’s why we are doing what we are doing today and now. Also, if politicians tend to pay attention to demands more in an election year, then there’s no appropriate time for the fiery demand that you help halt the cancers and health complications being experienced by the good people of Ghana, as a result of the senseless destruction of the very source of livelihood and existence of the people.
Yesterday, Ouattarab who doesn’t have the kind of political pedigree you have, had to give you a dress down over illegal mining in a manner akin to the proverbial saying “oson bo f3m a, aboa biara bo no bi” to wit, “when the elephant falls, every animal hits it” It was so embarrassing and I kept asking why we should even get here in the first place. The whole realm is under strain over a matter that should have never gotten here. I am aware of the recent deployment of some soldiers to deal with those destroying our water bodies and the proposal to withdraw the Legislative Instrument that enables mining in our protected areas. If these are sincere and candid moves, let them be sustained and let their outcomes be noticed in the next couple of days and we would applaud you. Nkrumah once asked that Ghanaians be allowed to stew in their stupidity, but that was long ago. Not all of us can afford to spew in stupidity while even very mature, educated statesmen and stateswomen offer partisan rotten fight against those who fight to protect their very interest and wellbeing.
As an individual of conviction, nothing would stop me from doing all I can in the fight against illegal mining. I won’t relent until more concrete steps are taken. The sponsored infantile attacks, do not only show your party no longer have the men with superior argument to counter what I stand for in this fight. It also serves to remind me that, I am making impact, and for me, that’s what matters. We must only do the kinds of things that I seek to do in demanding that we are governed well, for impact and not merely for the fun of it.
As our President, I call on you to remember the presidential oath you took when you were were being sworn in as President of Ghana. Fighting illegal mining and urging your MPs to provide quality representation to the people, would rather help your party’s electoral fortunes. Also, let it be reiterated that, the fiery call on you to halt illegal mining has only the altruistic agenda of seeking the wellbeing of Ghanaians, and no other agenda. It is typical of infant democracies for paid ignorant social media political land guards, and sometimes, even highly educated, grown men and women, to tag those who subject governments to strict proofs, take them on and demand accountability, as being partisan. This is very normal, but Mr President, under your regime, would it be too much for me to also ask that we grow and mature in our thoughts, in our reactions, and in the way we perceive those who keep leaders on their toes? Leadership, Mr President, is the CAUSE and every other thing, is an EFFECT.
Thank you!
Yaw Gyampo
A31, Prabiw
PAV Ansah Street
Saltpond
&
Suro Nipa House
Behind Old Post Office
Larteh-Akuapim.
