Francis Bugase accuses NDC of inconsistency in galamsey fight
Bugase took issue with the government’s rejection of calls for a state of emergency to be declared to curb the menace.
Francis Bugase, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team for the Chiana-Paga Constituency, has criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for what he described as a lack of clear direction in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday September 15, Bugase took issue with the government’s rejection of calls for a state of emergency to be declared to curb the menace.
According to him, the NDC has shifted from its earlier stance on the matter, pointing to pronouncements made by some of its key members while in opposition.
“Today, the NDC does not know where it stands as far as the fight against galamsey is concerned. A few years back, we heard their current Foreign Minister saying that if Mahama was voted into power, they would not mind banning small-scale mining for even up to 10 years to fight galamsey. Where are all those voices today?” he questioned.
Bugase argued that declaring a state of emergency has become even more necessary, citing worsening pollution of water bodies and the loss of eight lives in the recent helicopter crash, which has been linked to illegal mining activities.
“None of them wants to get close to those rivers now because they are even muddier. If my brother says it was some top members of the NPP who were the kingpins and that they were calling for a state of emergency to address it, is the party not out of power today? So declare a state of emergency so that the NPP people will come out of the galamsey sites, period.” He stressed.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
