The Director of Communication of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Boaben Asamoa, has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flag bearer John Dramani Mahama have no moral rights to criticise the methods adopted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the fight against illegal small scale mining (galamsey) in the country which is affecting the environment and water bodies.

He noted that the Mahama administration has zero records in terms of measures in fighing galamsy.

Mr Boaben Asamoa who is also the Member of Parliament for Adentan, said at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday February 19 that during Mr Mahama’s term, two of his ministers who attempted to fight against the menace gave up due to orders from above.

This, he said, smacks of a government that lacked the willingness in dealing with the problem.

He was reacting to a decision by the main opposition NDC to petition the United Nations to revoke the appointment of President Akufo-Addo as Co-Chair of the SDGs Advocates because, according to the party, he has failed to show genuine commitment to the fight against galamsey and the protection of the environment in his own country.

The NDC noted that it is an afront to notably, SDGs 6, 13, 14 and 15, which talk about clean water, sanitation, climate action, conservation and sustainability of land, water and marine resources.

Addressing a press conference at the banks of River Pra in the Central Region on Sunday, 16 February 2020, the Communication Officer of the NDC, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, said the government’s attempt to fight galamsey is a “ruse to kick out legal small-scale miners and artisanal galamseyers and replace them with a new breed of marauding illegal miners belonging to the ruling New Patriotic Party and government.”

Mr Gyamfi served noticed that: “The NDC shall, in the coming days, petition the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to revoke the appointment of President Akufo-Addo as Co-Chair of the SDGs Advocates.

“Clearly, 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.”

But Mr Boaben Asamoa told the press that the NDC and its flag bearer Mr Mahama have no freeness of speech in terms of efforts in ending the menace because they did nothing towards it.

“Two ministers of his [John Mahama] gave up on the fight on the back of orders from above.

The NPP is challenging John Mahama to his failure to fights against galamsey in his term especially when two ministers of his giving up the fight – one of them citing orders from above.”

He further insisted that : “President Akufo-Addo is committed in the fight against galamsey and he came out to put his presidency on the line.”