Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese, Advocacy Head at Settle Ghana
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Settle Ghana, has criticised comments made by the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region and Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Energy, Mr Samuel Atta Akuair, in defending President Nana Akufo-Addo’s efforts against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
The criticism follows Atta Akyah’s assertion that the president cannot be solely blamed for the illegal mining crisis that has led to the destruction of several water bodies across the country.
Atta Akyah, in an exclusive interview with Kwame Dwomo Agyemang on Class 91.3 FM, maintained that the President has no absolute power to combat the issue.
“It’s simply not true that the president has all the power. The power he has requires cooperation to be effective.”
“For example, if there are sheikhs who support galamsey, the president cannot just arrest these individuals,” he said.
However, in an interview with Class News, Settle Ghana Head of Advocacy, Isif Seidu Kudus Beadesse, dismissed Atta Akuair’s remarks as “weak and unfortunate”, especially given President Akufo-Addo’s vow to end the menace of illegal mining.
Kudus criticised the efforts of President Akufo-Addo’s administration, describing the fight against illegal mining as “just a stunt” that has failed miserably.
“It doesn’t take rocket science to know that galamsey masterminds are indeed in government, including the presidency and senior party positions at local and national levels.
“There is no dispute on that point. There can’t be any dispute,” he said.
Kudus further argued that as the Chairman of the Commission on Mines and Energy, Samuel Atta Akyah should be well aware of these facts.
He questioned Atta Akyaw’s position, saying: “When good things happen, the president is to blame. When bad things happen, we all are to blame.”
“Where does that principle come from?”
He also called on all Ghanaians including religious organisations, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and labour unions to actively participate in the fight against illegal mining to protect the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.