KEY POINTS
- Kwadwo Poku urges political parties to collaborate honestly in the fight against illegal mining.
- The 2017 mining ban contributed to NPP losing key constituencies in the 2020 elections.
- Poku calls for clear distinctions between responsible and illegal mining activities.
Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, an energy expert, has called for honest collaboration between political parties in Ghana to effectively combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
He emphasized that the total ban on small-scale mining, which President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo introduced in 2017, played a significant role in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss of key parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections.
Impact of mining ban on NPP’s electoral performance
Speaking on TV3, Poku explained that the NPP’s losses in constituencies like Evalue Ajomoro Gwira, Upper West Denkyira, Amenfi Central, and Prestea Huni Valley were due to the economic hardships caused by the small-scale mining ban.
These areas, heavily dependent on mining, were negatively impacted by the government’s decision to halt all forms of mining, both legal and illegal, as part of the fight against galamsey.
Poku noted that while the ban was aimed at reducing environmental damage, it also created significant political consequences.
“The ban affected the livelihoods of many, and NDC candidates took advantage by promising to ease restrictions on galamsey,” Poku said, adding that this led to NPP losing these strongholds.
Double standards in the fight against galamsey
Poku criticized both major political parties for taking a double stance on illegal mining. He pointed out that while leaders of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) publicly condemned galamsey, their parliamentary candidates in mining areas campaigned on promises to relax restrictions, undermining the government’s efforts.
“Political parties cannot fight illegal mining with dishonest intentions,” Poku stated. “You can’t fight galamsey in Accra and then support it in the constituencies to win votes. It’s time for honest collaboration between all political players.”
According to Graphic Online, he also accused the NPP government’s military-police task force, Operation Vanguard, of facing resistance from mining communities, which contributed to growing resentment toward the NPP.
Responsible mining versus illegal mining
Poku further emphasized the need to distinguish between responsible small-scale mining and illegal activities.
“Not all small-scale mining is galamsey,” he argued. “We need to support legal, responsible mining operations while targeting those who are causing environmental destruction through illegal activities.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of honest partnerships and a consistent approach to combating illegal mining, calling on both NPP and NDC leaders to address the issue with integrity and transparency.
