Source: tntnewspapergh.com

Two registered political parties in the country – the United Front Party (UFP) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) – have called for depoliticisation of the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Nana Agyenim Boateng, Founder and Leader of the UFP, said all hands should be on deck in the fight against illegal mining.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, 14th October 2024, on the fight against illegal mining In Ghana, the UFP and the GCPP called for collective efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.

Nana Agyenim Boateng aka Gyataba and Kofi Owusu Omar addressing a press conference

Nana Agyenim Boateng was fully supported by Mr. Kofi Owusu Omar, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GCPP.

The following is the full statement from the UFP:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen from the inky fraternity.

We, the members of the United Front Party, are calling for depoliticisation of the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey in the country.

As a political party, we think a holistic and collective approach will be the game changer to tackle the canker, rather than resorting to demonstrations and total economic shutdown by some unions in the country.

Civil society, academia, trade unions and religious organisations have all joined forces to put pressure on government to immediately ban all forms of small mining as a measure of eliminating galamsey. As a political party, we think this is not the best approach to tackle the fight.

The various groups contend that the irresponsible mining is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of injustice and against the right to clean environment and good health for present and future generations.

We, therefore, urge the Government of Ghana to lead the charge in holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that the damage caused to our natural resources is reversed, especially when Ghana has signed onto international protocols and conventions that enjoin us to promote and ensure environmental protection.

I, Nana Agyenim Boateng (Gyataba), Founder and leader of the UFP, is of the view that even though the fight against galamsey is a long-term initiative, government should be emboldened by the outcry of the public and intervene with all the seriousness it deserves.

This is a long-term thing to fight. We cannot just give such a short ultimatum to government; it is not fair. I think the President should also take advantage of the public outcry as support to take a decisive decision on this. The whole country is behind him to fight the menace.

We are advising civil society organisations not to politicise the matter, bearing in mind that the issue at hand goes beyond politics.

Civil society organisations should be clear in their minds; this is not politics. We should know that this is a menace that must be addressed devoid of politics so we have a sustained positive result. That’s why I won’t support call for demonstrations.

We also call on traditional authorities (Nananom) to help the government fight illegal mining because the own the land and know waterlogged areas that are not suitable for mining.

This, we believe, will help the government fight illegal mining proper in the country.

We all know that it is not only NPP members who are into illegal mining in the country. There are other NDC members who I can say on record with evidence that they are into illegal mining.

This is a national issue. We all have to sit down and find a better solution to it but politicising it won’t be the best approach.

Long live Ghana
Long live UFP.
Long live Asanteman

Signed……..
Dr Nana Agyenim Boateng
Founder and Leader, UFP

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