The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, has urged all political parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to demonstrate their commitment to fighting illegal mining, known as galamsey, by signing a “binding national anti-galamsey pact.”
Dr. Prempeh called on religious leaders, especially those from the church, to take the lead in engaging stakeholders to foster the development of this crucial national pact. He emphasized that the agreement should serve as a comprehensive roadmap to effectively tackle the galamsey issue, which poses significant threats to both the environment and public health.
Dr. Prempeh made this appeal during his address at the 13th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowship held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on September 14, 2024.
In his speech, he stressed the importance of political unity in addressing the galamsey crisis and insisted that parties should express their dedication by formally signing the proposed pact, which would seek to establish a national consensus. He challenged former President John Dramani Mahama’s sincerity in combating illegal mining, citing past instances where NDC officials allegedly supported illegal miners, as well as Mahama’s 2020 commitment to grant amnesty to those imprisoned for illegal mining activities.
Despite ongoing challenges, Dr. Prempeh reassured the church and the Ghanaian populace of the NPP’s resolute stance against illegal mining. He conveyed that, under the leadership of Dr. Bawumia and himself, the NPP would eagerly sign the anti-galamsey pact as a testament to their commitment.
Additionally, he highlighted that the NPP’s 2024 manifesto includes a detailed strategy aimed at curbing illegal mining, endorsing responsible small-scale mining practices, and protecting the environment and water resources.
