Dr. Ken Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to honor his promise to repeal the contentious Legislative Instrument (LI) that permits mining in forest reserves.
Speaking on TV3’s “Key Points” on Saturday, April 5, Ashigbey labeled the LI as a “bad law” that has failed to achieve its intended purpose.
Ashigbey expressed disappointment that President Mahama, who swiftly fulfilled his promise to remove the E-levy, has been hesitant to follow through on his commitment to repeal the LI.
“How come the president who said he is going to revoke L.I, is now saying that we should amend, that is a blot,
He then added “This is a bad law, although its intention was good”.
The situation is further complicated by the alarming collaboration between members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in galamsey activities. Ashigbey revealed that these political figures have joined forces to intensify illegal mining, highlighting the need for urgent and decisive government intervention.
“NDC and NPP illegal miners have now merged to intensify galamsey,
“Leading members of the ruling NDC administration in some constituencies have been accused of engaging in illegal mining. Indeed, NDC and NPP members have now merged to carry out Galamsey activities in some districts. I expect government to act,” he said.
Ashigbey called for investigations into the alleged involvement of Akonta Mining in illegal small-scale mining.
He criticized former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s previous assertion that Akonta Mining was not involved in galamsey in forest reserves, describing it as “despicable.”
He said “Just to say that the new CID boss should not be following that despicable statement by the former President, he lied to the state that Akonta Mining is not engaged in illegal mining”.
Ashigbey also pointed to accusations against an NDC MP for Aowin and the NDC Secretary for Axim, urging President Mahama to order investigations into these cases.
“The CID, A-G, they need to take this case to court. Also, the NDC MP for Aowin has been accused of being involved in galamsey, the NDC Secretary for Axim has also been accused, the President should order investigations into these two cases”.
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
