A member of the Upper East Regional Communications Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Maxwell Chelimbalem, has criticized the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he describes as a poor and ineffective approach to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s recent statement that he would only declare a state of emergency on galamsey if such a move were recommended by the National Security Council.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Chelimbalem argued that the government’s handling of the issue has been driven more by public relations than by practical action. He described the president’s recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders at the Jubilee House as unnecessary and merely a publicity stunt.
“The NDC administration is living on publicity gimmicks. I think it was not necessary for the president to invite CSOs and other stakeholders as far as the fight against galamsey is concerned. It was a waste of time,” he said.
Mr. Chelimbalem recalled that before President Mahama’s return to power, he toured the country to solicit expert opinions on key sectors, including mining, and therefore should already have a clear strategy to combat illegal mining.
“When he was flagbearer, he told us he was the experienced president because he had been vice president and president before. He said he had the knowledge to fight illegal mining better than the NPP. But from what we’re seeing now, that is clearly not the case,” he added.
He further noted that during the campaign period, the NDC pledged to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and review existing mining laws to strengthen enforcement — commitments he said have yet to materialize.
“There was no need to meet CSOs again. That is why I said the meeting was a publicity gimmick,” Mr. Chelimbalem emphasized.
The NPP communicator also compared the current administration’s efforts to those of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, claiming that under the NPP, more decisive measures were taken in the early months, including a temporary ban on small-scale mining to allow for regulatory reforms.
“If you compare Nana Addo’s first nine months to this administration’s first nine months in the fight against illegal mining, they don’t come close to us,” he stated.
Mr. Chelimbalem also dismissed the NDC government’s explanation that conflicts in certain parts of the country have made it difficult to deploy security personnel to mining areas, calling it a “flimsy and baseless excuse.”
“If you are a government that people trusted and voted into power, you can’t say because of conflicts you cannot send military or security forces to fight illegal mining. That is a weak excuse. The government has failed Ghanaians,” he concluded.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
