Inusah Fuseini defends NDC’s stance on galamsey

A former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini has defended John Dramani Mahama’s position on illegal mining (galamsey) after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo questioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate’s consistency on the issue.

Speaking to some chiefs in the North East region, President Akufo-Addo criticised former President Mahama for making what he described as contradictory statements on galamsey. 

He called on Mr Mahama to clarify his stance and accused him of “speaking from both sides of his mouth.”

In an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on on Tuesday [October 15, 2024], Mr Inusah Fuseini refuted these claims, insisting that Mr Mahama and the NDC have been clear and consistent. 

“The NDC has repeatedly said that anybody who wants to mine must obtain a permit to engage in that activity. Legally and politically, the NDC is on firm ground in its vision for the mining sector, especially small-scale mining,” he said.

Mr Fuseini reiterated that the NDC has always supported regulated mining to protect the environment and ensure sustainable resource use.

He went on to criticise President Akufo-Addo for politicising the galamsey issue, stressing that it is Akufo-Addo’s duty to enforce the laws of the land, including the Minerals and Mining Act, without relying on input from other political figures. 

“The President swore to uphold the laws of this country, and that includes the Minerals and Mining Act. It’s a dereliction of duty for him to say he needs other political parties to sign a pact when he has the executive authority to act,” Fuseini stated.

Mr Fuseini also drew attention to the damage caused by illegal mining, noting the contamination of water bodies and farmland. 

He pointed out that galamsey has severely impacted cocoa production, which has plummeted, and posed health risks, with reports of mercury traces in crops like yams. 

“Cocoa production has fallen drastically, and now we’re hearing reports of mercury traces in our yams. The unregulated mining is exposing people to hazardous chemicals, and it’s the President’s responsibility to bring this menace under control,” he warned.

While President Akufo-Addo has proposed a nonpartisan approach to addressing galamsey through a political pact, Fuseini argued that the responsibility for enforcing the law rests with the sitting president. 

He emphasised that strong leadership and political will are key to tackling the galamsey crisis, rather than shifting blame.