Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo is deliberately not taking decisive action against illegal mining, also known galamsey due to fear of losing votes.
This comes amidst growing calls for the government to declare a state emergency and ban small-scale mining activities, following the severe disruption of water bodies by illegal mining.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Vanderpuye criticised the government’s lack of leadership in addressing the issue.
Vanderpuye further alleged that government officials have prioritised winning elections over governing the country.
The MP alleged that the government’s inaction is motivated by political expediency, citing the 2020 experience where efforts to combat galamsey resulted in lost votes.
“The resolution lies in leadership and that is what has been lacking under this government. The problem of this catastrophe that we are having is absolutely lack of leadership. The government has already been explicit that they are not going to solve this problem because when they tried in 2020, they lost votes.”
“Various government officials have said that they cannot continue to lose votes because they are in government for two things. They have that clear, one is to win the election and two to govern the country.
“The only way they can govern the country is to win the election by making sure that where they are losing votes, they win votes.”
Source: citinewsroom.com
