The New Patriotic Party has called on Ghanaians to ignore claims of former President John Mahama, describing him as a “desperate politician.”

Mr. Mahama addressing supporters of the National Democratic Congress during a unity walk in Kumasi slammed the Akufo-Addo government’s fight against galamsey.

The former president stated that the government must have a plan to employ those affected by the war being waged on galamsey operators. He also criticised the government for using soldiers to chase the illegal miners.

But the NPP in a statement Monday condemned Mahama’s comments as “opportunistic and reckless”

“We, in the NPP, have always known that the former president is such a desperate politician who would do anything for political power but what we did not know is that, his desperation has reached this outlandish extent.

“His comment is by far, the most opportunistic and reckless comment to have been made by any former Ghanaian leader. We condemn this recklessness in no uncertain terms and call on him to do the honourable thing.”

The statement “the NPP also calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians particularly the Media Coalition Against illegal mining to join the party in condemning with all vehemence, this unfortunate comment from John Mahama which seeks to erode all the gains that the nation had made in the fight against the galamsey menace on the altar of political expediency.

“It is most reprehensible, disgusting, repugnant and unbecoming of a statesman. John Mahama should be the last person to comment on issues of illegal mining having had the rare opportunity to govern this country for 8 years and doing absolutely nothing to fight the menace of illegal mining which was destroying the very fabric of the Ghanaian society.



“We are, however, not surprised about the conduct of the former president because that is his stock in trade. With such desperation from him, it wouldn’t be surprising if, tomorrow, we hear him blaming President Akufo-Addo for the woes of prisoners and telling for them he would ensure their release if they voted for him. This is certainly not how we build a nation.”