
Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Ken Ashigbey has told President John Dramani Mahama to deal with the politically exposed persons involved in illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey).
Dr Ken Ashigbey revealed that illegal miners belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have partnered to engage in the galamsey activities.
This calls for serious efforts from the government to fight the galamsey activities.
“Politically exposed persons involved in galansey, a lot of them are giving the Minister a challenge, the President needs to deal with the political class involved in it,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, April 5.
“NDC and NPP illegal miners have now merged to intensify galamsey,” he added.
He further stated that “Leading members of the ruling NDC administration in some constituencies have been accused of engaging in illegal mining. Indeed, NDC and NPP members have now merged to carry out Galamsey activities in some districts. I expect the government to act.”
Dr Ken Ashigbey further pleaded with President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the alleged involvement of Akonta Mining in illegal small-scale mining.
Read Also: Akonta Mining not engaged in any illegal mining – Akufo-Addo
He says the previous comment made by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that Akonta Mining is not involved in galamsey was despicable.
“Just to say that the new CID boss should not be following that despicable statement by the former President, he lied to the state that Akonta Mining is not engaged in illegal mining,” Ken Ashigbey said.
“The CID, A-G, they need to take this case to court. Also, the NDC MP for Aowin has been accused of being involved in galamsey, the NDC secretary for Axim has also been accused, the President should order investigations into these two cases.”
Meaning, as part of the fight against galamsey, the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately embark on mass transfer all Regional, Divisional, and District Police Commanders working in mining areas in the country.
He said this decision is aimed at replacing officers who have served in these areas for an extended period without effectively addressing illegal mining activities.
Alhaji Muntaka stressed that this order is part of measures to end galamsey in the country.
The affected commanders will be reassigned to areas without mining activities, while their replacements will be given a three-month probationary period to prove their effectiveness in combating illegal mining.
During an engagement with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asowase MP reiterated his determination to enforcing this directive despite mounting pressure on the IGP to reconsider.
“I have ordered the IGP to transfer all police commanders in all mining areas and send in new ones. So, if you are a Regional, Divisional, and District Police Commander serving in mining areas, you will be changed with immediate effect.
“The new ones we are taking there will be transferred after three months if they don’t perform. We will keep making changes till we see results,” he stated.
The directive underscores the government’s resolve to strengthen law enforcement in the fight against illegal mining, which continues to pose a significant threat to Ghana’s environment and water resources.
He assured the people of Ghana of the security agencies’ and the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining in the country.
The post Galamsey: Tackle the politically exposed persons including NDC members – Ken Ashigbey tells Mahama first appeared on 3News.
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