The Executive Council of the Katanga Alumni Association has distanced itself from ongoing media reports linking the association to a controversial naked demonstration and fundraising campaign purportedly in support of the fight against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

The Association, in a press statement on September 26, 2024, emphasised that it has not sanctioned or endorsed any such activity.

“The Executive Council of the Katanga Alumni Association has been made aware of media publications attempting to attach the Association to the above campaign.

“Whilst the association acknowledges that the pressing national issue surrounding Galamsey should be addressed, it has not taken any decision to act by embarking on a demonstration as is being alleged,” part of the press statement said.

According to the statement, these reports appear to have stemmed from a social media account under the name "Katanga Fellowhood," created by one Jeffery Sackey, an alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who resides in the United States.

The Association noted that Sackey holds no official position within the Katanga Alumni Association, and his actions and social media activities do not reflect the views or stance of the association.

The association also reaffirmed its stance against galamsey, voicing support for efforts to protect the environment. However, they cautioned that no official events or fundraising campaigns have been organized for this cause.

“For the avoidance of doubt, whilst the association fully supports efforts to protect and preserve our environment and is absolutely against its destruction by galamsey, we have not sanctioned any event or fundraising activity for this purpose.

“Anyone who engages with Jeffery Sackey and/or pays money to him under the belief that he is acting on behalf of the Association does so at their own risk,” the statement added.



AM/KA

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