The Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Anthony Namoo, has expressed concerns over the ongoing industrial action by Organized Labour, urging them to reconsider their stance.
He stated that if the strike continues, many Ghanaians might perceive it as politically motivated against the current administration.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Lawyer Namoo emphasized that the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is a national concern that should not be politicized.
“Fighting illegal mining is a concern for all of us as Ghanaians, and I believe we should all get involved. This government has done remarkably well in tackling the menace compared to the previous administration,” he stated.
Lawyer Namoo criticized the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, alleging it was ineffective in curbing illegal mining. He highlighted the differences between the current government’s efforts and those of the past, specifically referencing the NDC’s perceived lack of control over the issue in 2016.
“In 2016, what didn’t happen? The government then was clueless. Even one of the NDC Parliamentary candidates confessed to being involved in illegal mining,” he said.
He elaborated that under the NPP administration, individuals like the NDC candidate in question were educated on responsible mining practices and subsequently licensed, contributing to more regulated and sustainable small-scale mining practices.
Lawyer Namoo’s remarks come in response to Organized Labour’s industrial action, which is calling for a ban on small-scale mining as part of the broader effort to combat illegal mining activities in Ghana.
He argued that while their concerns are valid, their approach might inadvertently convey a political agenda, especially given the strides the current government has made in addressing the galamsey issue.
Lawyer Namoo urged Organized Labour to work collaboratively with the government to find a lasting solution to illegal mining rather than taking actions that could be interpreted as politically driven.
He reiterated that the fight against galamsey requires a united front, free of political bias, for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
