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Independent investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni says that President Akufo-Addo has not been firm enough in dealing with illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’ in the country.
He said the president, at the beginning of his term, promised to end galamsey in the country, even if it meant putting his presidency on the line.
However, near the end of his first term, the canker still persists.
“I don’t think there was any fight beyond the antics. Many of his promises have turned out to be a scam because once you decide to risk your presidency if you mean it, there are other things you have to do, “he said.
Mr. Awuni was speaking in Joy FM where he described the president’s fight as “a scam.”
He said that before Nana Akufo-Addo took office, he [Manasseh] he was very happy with the promise of the then NPP standard-bearer to end galamsey in the country.
However, the progress of the fight, he noted, has been hampered due to the participation of “people of the match” in the fight.
“And this is not only in the area of ’galamsey’, but also in a lot of issues, including the fight against corruption, which he also defended in a very instrumental way,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo, before taking office in 2017, promised to end galamsey in the country.
Introduced Operation Vanguard [a taskforce set up by government to combat galamsey in the country], as well as the Community Mining Program that aims to guarantee safe and responsible mining as part of the measures to combat illegal mining in the country.
In his 2020 state of the nation address to parliament, the president praised his government for achievements in the fight, although he admitted that there are still some challenges that need to be addressed.
However, he has been challenged by Awuni, who believes that the fight has not been effective enough.
“It is very unfortunate that in 2020 we continue to have this problem. I don’t think that beyond words, the actions really spoke to the fact that it was someone who wanted to risk his presidency, “he said.
“I was hoping that when the corruption problems started, the participation of the party people would be resolved, which was a big mistake.
“Because, once you allowed the party people to take charge of certain critical areas of the fight, then it will be difficult for the security agencies to deal with them,” he said.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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