Mahama’s galamsey comment ‘repugnant, unbecoming of a statesman’- NPP

 

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slammed President John Mahama for questioning the government’s clampdown on illegal miners.

Mr Mahama advised the government against the use of excessive force against illegal miners and that there are better ways to fight the illegal activity.

Addressing thousands of party sympathizers during the party’s Unity Walk at Aboabo in the Asawase Constituency Saturday, Mr. Mahama said using soldiers to fight illegal mining won’t achieve results, adding the measure was tried during his tenure but failed.

“The use of security personnel against our young men and women[galamseyers] is nothing new. We tried it but it didn’t work; so we introduced a new mining law to regulate the activities of small-scale miners while giving them the opportunity to earn some income,” President Mahama said.

However, addressing the press Wednesday, the NPP said the former president’s comments   are disgusting and unbecoming  of a statesman 

“His comment is by far, the most opportunistic and reckless comment to have been made by any former Ghanaian leader. We condemn this recklessness in no uncertain terms and call on him to do the honourable thing.”

The statement “the NPP also calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians particularly the Media Coalition Against illegal mining to join the party in condemning with all vehemence, this unfortunate comment from John Mahama which seeks to erode all the gains that the nation had made in the fight against the galamsey menace on the altar of political expediency.

“It is most reprehensible, disgusting, repugnant and unbecoming of a statesman. John Mahama should be the last person to comment on issues of illegal mining having had the rare opportunity to govern this country for 8 years and doing absolutely nothing to fight the menace of illegal mining which was destroying the very fabric of the Ghanaian society.

“We are, however, not surprised about the conduct of the former president because that is his stock in trade. With such desperation from him, it wouldn’t be surprising if, tomorrow, we hear him blaming President Akufo-Addo for the woes of prisoners and telling for them he would ensure their release if they voted for him. This is certainly not how we build a nation.”

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

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