The fight against galamsey is non-negotiable but… – Gyampo

A former Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has reiterated the need for the fight against illegal mining to be fought with all force.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers Council noted that it is a non-negotiable fight which he is very committed to.

Prof Gyampo noted, however, that he will not allow himself to be pushed into advocating against illegal mining (galamsey) by members of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration.

“The fight against galamsey is a non-negotiable fight. That is why I get annoyed when people, who yesterday said we should not fight galamsey, I hear them talking that today, because they have lost power, they are calling on some of us to be pushing the government in fighting galamsey,” he said on TV3’s KeyPoints on March 22.

According to him, he advocates for or against issues based on his conscience.

“I am saying that for some of us, our conscience is pricked by our convictions. Our conscience is not pricked by partisan calls by foot soldiers. We know what to do. At the right time. we will do it. It is not up to you to tell us to go and talk,” Prof Gyampo emphasised.

He nonetheless urged President Mahama to adopt drastic measures against the illegal mining menace now.

He said this the best time for the President to crack the whip in dealing with perpetrators of the practice, otherwise known as galamsey.

“President Mahama, with the greatest of respect, this is the time, at the beginning. Crack the whip, be drastic about the fight against galamsey. Do it now,” he stated.

Prof Gyampo advised the President not to delay further as that would not have the needed impact.

“Not in the next two or three years, when you get to the point where your party will be fighting for election. At that time, it becomes a bit difficult. let us solve the problem now before the next election so that you will be able to have a message again,” the former lecturer at the University of Ghana noted.

He stressed that after cracking the whip on galamsey, “Ghanaians are discerning, go to them and tell them that under your tenure, you were able to do your best to secure our very source of living and to secure the environment. I think they are discerning enough to give you the nod again.”

The post The fight against galamsey is non-negotiable but… – Gyampo first appeared on 3News.

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