Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and sitting Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency, has issued a strong call to the ruling government to remain consistent with the stance they took while in opposition regarding the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
He urged the administration to honor its previous advocacy for the declaration of a state of emergency as a bold step to permanently end galamsey.
Mr. Jinapor made this assertion during a morning interview on Joy FM, on Thursday, 24th September. He vividly recounted the charged political atmosphere of the past, highlighting how members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some, then in opposition, were outspoken and relentless in their demands.
‘‘This government believed that the declaration of the state of emergency is the most effective tool for fighting illegal small-scale mining. And that’s what people are calling onto them to do,’’ he said.
According to Mr. Jinapor, members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while in opposition, persistently urged and pressured former President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to declare a state of emergency as a means to combat the destructive practice of galamsey.
He noted that this pressure was amplified by threats of industrial action and nationwide strikes from influential bodies such as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG). Despite these demands, Mr. Jinapor emphasized that President Akufo-Addo never made a formal commitment to declare a state of emergency. In contrast, he pointed out that the current government, which once championed this approach, did make such a promise and must now be held accountable for delivering on it.
“The most important thing is that this government believed that the state of emergency is the best tool to deal with illegal small-scale mining, and they have the opportunity, and that’s why people are saying, follow through with your commitment of declaring state of emergency to deal with illegal small-scale mining,” he added.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Mirabel Serwaa Asante
