Renowned Ghanaian economist Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin has said President John Dramani Mahama has yet to take strong action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, since returning to office.
Prof. Bokpin acknowledged that six months into the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration may be a short period. However, he stressed that it is not too short to act on promises made while in opposition.
Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, June 21, he cited the government’s failure to repeal the controversial L.I. 2462—introduced under the previous NPP administration—as well as the lack of a declaration of a state of emergency in affected areas.
“Six months is too short, but you know what? Six months has also been long enough for the president to demonstrate. Do we need like three years to declare a state of emergency? How many years do we need to repeal the L.I., which they all agreed in opposition ought to go?” he said.
His comments come at a time when several stakeholders are urging government to take a firmer stance on the long-standing menace.
At a press conference on Thursday, June 19, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey called on the President to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-prone areas and to investigate allegations of NDC executives’ involvement.
Similarly, the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences has called on the President to repeal L.I. 2462, insisting that forest reserves must not be reduced to “mining-in-waiting.”
