President Akufo-Addo has stated that he is against illegal mining and will do all possible to stop it no matter the consequences.
He made this known on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, when he commissioned the Akyem Wenchi Educational Circuit Community Information Centre, at Soabe, in the Eastern Region, the very first project he is commissioning as President of the Republic.
He explained that the negative impact of illegal mining cannot be overlooked and stressed that he will not be shaken by threats of an election defeat.
Some small scale miners including those in the Ashanti Region are kicking against the decision by government to halt galamsey in the country.
“I haven’t said that I am going to stop mining. Mining has been done for decades in this country by several generations. I am only saying that, I am against those mining without legal backing. Illegal mining, that is what I am against. Today, Kyebi, Abirem, it’s a sad sight to behold. Mining along the water bodies cannot continue if we want to preserve nature and our system. I have been told some of the people engaged in illegal mining, have threatened to vote against the NPP in 2020, if I crack the whip on the culprits. I am more concerned about fulfilling God’s purpose and devising measures to propel the nation’s development. That’s my focus and not election related issues.”