Running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has issued a stern warning to those engaged in illegal mining activities on Ghana’s water bodies, urging them to cease their operations immediately.
He emphasized that the next NPP administration, under the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will not tolerate such actions.
During a campaign stop in Bogoso, within the Prestea-Huni-Valley constituency of the Western Region, Dr. Opoku Prempeh participated in the NPP’s official campaign launch.
Addressing the audience, he highlighted the party’s mining policy as outlined in their manifesto, stressing that illegal miners using excavators in water bodies should leave before Dr. Bawumia assumes office.
He assured the people that the incoming government would be strict in enforcing mining regulations.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh also explained that Dr. Bawumia plans to introduce policies aimed at regulating small-scale mining, making it more profitable for communities like Prestea and Bogoso, which heavily rely on mining activities.
In his speech, Dr. Opoku Prempeh criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as their hypocrisy on the issue of illegal mining.
He pointed out that, while the NDC previously promised to release all those arrested for galamsey in exchange for votes, they are now calling for harsher measures against illegal miners.
NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Prestea Huni Valley, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, also spoke at the event, expressing her disappointment that many of the projects she initiated as an MP have been abandoned.
She urged the constituents to re-elect her so that she can continue her work in the community.