The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey has revealed that six of the 12 presidential candidates in the 2024 elections have committed to a pact to end the fight against illegal mining, regardless of the election outcome.
The six candidates according to him include the NDC’s John Dramani Mahama, NPP’s Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, LPG’s Kofi Akpaloo, APC’s Hassan Ayariga, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, and George Twum-Barimah-Adu.
Dr Ashigbey announced the development at a press briefing on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
He stated that regardless of whether these candidates win the election or not, there will be no “honeymoon” period for them.
They will be expected to immediately get to work on tackling the fight against galamsey.
The coalition in September 2024 announced plans to petition the NPP and NDC presidential candidates to clearly declare their stance on the issue of galamsey.
This was at a time the pressure for the Akufo-Addo led government to address the galamsey crisis intensified amidst calls for a state of emergency.
Dr Ashigbey had clarified that, the Coalition is not advocating for a complete ban on mining but is calling for a state of emergency and stricter enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws to prevent environmental destruction, particularly to water bodies.
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