General News of Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Source: mynewsgh.com

NPP, NDC profiting from 'galamsey' - Akua Donkor

Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) Founder, Akua Donkor Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) Founder, Akua Donkor

The founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) Madam Akua Donkor has stated explicitly that the country will not win its fight against illegal mining should either the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or National Democratic Congress (NDC) continue to govern the country in turns.

She alleged that both parties are profiting from illegal mining and claims by the current government it is determined to deal with the situation must not be taken serious.

“The NPP and NDC are befitting from galamsey and I doubt if they will be able to sack them from this country “, she alleged.

According to her, she is the only person who has the will and power to stop illegal mining in the country to save the environment from further destruction adding that both parties have been complicit in the fight against the menace.

Madam Akua Donkor accused former President. A. Kufuor of introducing galamsey activities in the country by deliberately bringing in Chinese nationals.

She called for the establishment of Gold Markets in the country aimed at creating employment avenues for the youth.

Government through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu issued a three-week ultimatum which has since expired to illegal miners to quit or face the wrath of security agencies as part of the measures to curb the increasing spate of water pollution and environmental destruction.

Many miners have started complying with the directive as most of them have begun turning in their excavators as the campaign against illegal mining (galamsey) intensifies.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu said that the government had so far received more than 75 excavators.

He said that the move “is a good sign that the campaign against illegal mining across the country is yielding results.”

“It is not right for any person to engage in activities that will destroy the environment”.

“The government will not allow any person or group to continue with galamsey, knowing the full implications or consequences. We are ready to end galamsey in Ghana,” he said.