The National Democratic Congress has called on president Akufo-Addo to step down as the co-chair of UN SDGs advocates over his failure to fight against illegal mining.

According to the party, Akufo-Addo is unfit for the prestigious position as members of his government have become promoters of “galamsey”.

Speaking at a press conference which was addressed by Sammy Gyamfi, said, “Akufo-Addo has failed to show genuine commitment to the fight against illegal mining and the protection of the environment in his own backyard. His corrupt government has become an active enabler and promoter of the “galamsey” menace and the destruction of the environment in a way that affronts the SDGs of the United Nations. He has proven to be unfit for the prestigious position of Co-Chair of the UN SDGs Advocates, for which reason he must be removed without delay. And, we are absolutely convinced beyond doubt that the United Nations will act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, the international community and the environment.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was re-appointed in October, to serve as Co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Sustainable Development Goals Advocates for an additional two years.

This followed his first appointment as Co-Chair of the Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates, along with Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, in April 2017.

The letter from the UN Secretary-General to Nana Akufo-Addo stated

“given your strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to remain as co-chair of the SDGs Advocates for an additional two years, until 31 December 2020.”

However, the NDC have said that the current state of affairs reflects the failure of Akufo-Addo's “so called fight against galamsey” as SDG 6, 13, 14 and 15 which all talk about clean water, sanitation, climate action, conservation and sustainability of land, water and marine resources have not been achieved in Ghana as the country continues to lose the fight against galamsey which affects the aim to achieve the above SDG.

They accused Akufo-Addo for failing to show commitment to fight illegal mining.

He said “President Akufo-Addo has failed to show genuine commitment to the fight against illegal mining and the protection of the environment in his own backyard. His corrupt government has become an active enabler and promoter of the “galamsey” menace and the destruction of the environment in a way that affronts the SDGs of the United Nations. He has proven to be unfit for the prestigious position of Co-Chair of the UN SDGs Advocates, for which reason he must be removed without delay. And, we are absolutely convinced beyond doubt that the United Nations will act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, the international community and the environment.”