Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has advised President Nana Akufo-Addo to use independent individuals with integrity to manage his anti-illegal mining machinery.
Abdul Malik Kweku Baako is advocating for the removal of “party elements” from such entities for the country to make a headway in its fight against what is locally called as ‘galamsey’.
The veteran journalist told Samson Lardy Anyenini on MultiTV/Joy FM’s news
analysis show Saturday that despite the success the president has chalked with
his galamsey fight, it is hugely challenged.
“This is because of party elements are embedded…there are party people selling concessions and it is on tape…and I hear and read some of them on social media and they are making noise and accusing others,” he said. According to him, there are some evidence in court will soon play out in the public.
In July 2017 the President said he was prepared to put his
presidency on the line in his quest to end the scourge of
illegal mining to safeguard the country’s future.
He said he was not worried
whose ox was gored in the fight against illegal mining or galamsey because he
had the duty as the leader of the country to ensure the survival of the country
as an entity.
Rallying Ghana’s traditional
leaders together, President Akufo-Addo said if there is one right thing to
be done, that thing is for all to fight galamsey, reclaim the lands and leave
for posterity a “green country” and a “clean space.”
But despite the success with the campaign, it suffered a setback with the release of another explosive documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw.
The documentary, ‘Galamsey Fraud’ revealed that government officials are
circumventing measures to curb illegal mining and allowing a
company to mine.
The undercover work showed the secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining receiving various sums of money to facilitate the process and provide security protection for the mining company.
The secret filming captured Charles Cromwell Bissiw, taking cash amounting to
¢35,000 in three meetings through one Andy Owusu, a connection man, to
circumvent the process to renew the mining license for ORR Resources Enterprise.
This was to ascertain whether there really are shortcuts to mining illegally in Ghana after the ban and institution of the Road Map.
In a letter last month, Mr
Charles Bissue argued his innocence of all the allegations of extortion in the
‘Galamsey Fraud’ documentary.
Deputy Attorney General, Godfried Yeboah Dame, said Mr Charles Bissue’s issue was being investigated by two independent institutions of the state i.e. the Criminal Investigations Department and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, indicating government’s effort at dealing with the issue.
Mr Kweku Baako suggests there
are many others who are stalling President Akufo-Addo’s galamsey fight are
happening because of people within the system.
“It won’t take too long for everybody to know the truth. There are people who have been given responsibility to do some work who are not doing it. And they have decided to target people who they think are worrying them,” he said.
Source: myjoyonline.com