Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Ebenezer Nartey, has questioned both the government’s commitment and the sincerity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in addressing Ghana’s illegal mining menace, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Prime Morning News Flash, the former legislator criticised President John Mahama’s decision to engage CSOs in developing a new roadmap to combat illegal mining. He argued that many CSOs seem to prioritise personal benefit over the national interest.
“I see the CSO people as people who follow their stomach,” Mr. Nartey remarked.
Mr. Nartey maintained that from the presidency to ordinary citizens, there is little genuine commitment to tackling the galamsey problem. He lamented that despite the extensive destruction of water bodies and farmlands, political leaders continue to offer rhetoric instead of taking decisive action.
He also accused the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President of inconsistency, noting that while the media was vocal about galamsey under the previous NPP administration, it now appears to be more lenient towards the current government.
According to him, many individuals and groups that once championed the anti-galamsey fight have now gone silent, driven more by political or personal motives than by genuine environmental concern.
Commenting on President Mahama’s statement that a state of emergency would only be declared upon advice from security agencies, Mr. Nartey said the position reflects a lack of urgency.
“If the President says he’ll call for a state of emergency only when there’s progress, then what progress is he talking about?” he questioned.
Mr. Nartey concluded that without bold leadership and sincerity from all stakeholders, the fight against illegal mining will remain a political slogan rather than a national priority.
source: Almightyfm
