The Patriotic Intellectual of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) must not be sacrificed for political expediency.
Rather, all political parties, chiefs and community elders and all concerned, must as a matter of urgency, sign a Pact with strict guiding principles to swiftly stop the “deadly business.”
“We urged all Ghanaians, CSOs, and particularly the government, to priorities our environment and the future of the nation over short term political or individual interest.”
Mr. Michael Appiah, the Chairman of the Patriotic Intellectual told the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi that though the move by organised Labour was in the right direction, nevertheless, “there should be a continuous non-partisan, collective approach to finally resolve the national canker…this should not be a political football.”
He said: “We endorse the recommendations by organised Labour for the Government to treat the galamsey issue as a national security threat and take drastic measures to curb it, but instead of a nationwide strike.
“We entreat the Government to stop the issuance of new licences, enforce the red zone decree of all water bodies and forest reserves.
“Also, the Government must take steps to repeal the existing Environmental Protection Regulations 2023 LI 2462 governing mining in forest reserves and water bodies and a specialised court for expeditious trial of galamsey crimes and related issues.”
GNA
