The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has challenged the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, to openly declare his stance on the illegal mining menace, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking during a recent campaign tour, he accused John Mahama of hypocrisy, suggesting that the former president has been inconsistent in his stance on the issue of galamsey.

"Someone who wants to be president, one side of his mouth saying one thing, and the other side is also saying another thing, and it is not good for him.

"In the 2020 elections, after the government had acted on the galamsey, he went around all the mining districts in the country to tell them he was going to give amnesty to anyone who has been affected by the galamsey issue by my government," he stated.

He added that "Is it not surprising that the NPP lost in all those constituencies. He says that when he comes, he will now enforce the galamsey laws. We want the four-time NDC presidential candidate to tell us where he really stands. This is what I meant when I said I was going to put my presidency on the line. I was prepared to take a political risk in dealing with galamsey," he stated.

Earlier, while speaking at Aboabo No. 4 in the Dormaa Central Constituency of the Bono Region, during a recent campaign tour, John Mahama vowed to ban galamsey activities if he assumes power.

"Not only will the new NDC administration ban galamsey, but we are also going to arrest and prosecute the galamseyers,” he declared.

This is contrary to his earlier claims of freeing those already imprisoned for their involvements in the illegal activities during the 2020 elections.

The former president stated that no one would be spared, adding that his party would also impose a total ban on illegal mining activities.

Speaking at Odum Banso in the Mpohor Constituency in the Western Region on October 22, 2020, he questioned the incarceration of Ghanaians for mining offenses.

Illegal small-scale mining and other forms of irresponsible mining have caused severe damages to water resources, forest reserves, and farmlands, igniting public discussions on the need for the government to enforce existing laws to combat the menace.

JKB/AE

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