The largest opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has blamed President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the wanton destruction galamsey has caused to the nation. 

The NDC is insisting the two are active collaborators and promoters of the menace, hence the lack of action to prevent same. 

Addressing the press on Monday, October 16, the NDC said the government is shielding its officials involved in the canker. 

According to the National Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, Ghanaians must speak up against this behaviour. 

“Like many environmentalists and patriotic voices, the NDC is deeply worried and appalled by the extent to which President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Alhaji Bawumia have gone to encourage and condone the destruction of Ghana’s environment.”

“They have been active collaborators and promoters of the ‘galamsey trade’.  Their actions through their Attorney-General to continuously protect corrupt officials of the ruling NPP and the government, speak loudly. Posterity will never forgive them,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the party is demanding the immediate resignation of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame. 

According to them, the AG is engaged in a cover-up as he is not prosecuting appointees who are committing serious crimes against the state.

“The NDC hereby demands the immediate resignation of the Attorney-General for his dubious attempt to cover up serious crimes that have been perpetrated against the state by corrupt government and NPP officials who are destroying our water bodies and forests through illegal mining.”

The demand by the NDC follows the Attorney General's advice that former Environment Minister, Prof Frimpong Boateng's allegations in his report on illegal mining activities in the country are empty.

Mr. Dame stressed that there was also no evidence to prosecute persons named in the report.

On April 20, the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation named some top government officials as being complicit in the illegal mining menace.

The renowned heart surgeon indicated that the rot goes as high as the seat of government, the Jubilee House.

He stressed that the allegations of some 500 missing excavators seized from illegal miners in 2020 were fabrications by some persons in the government to get him out of the way.

Since his revelation, there has been an increase in calls for accountability from both government officials and individuals involved in illegal mining activities.

However, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has advised that little attention be given to the 36-page document written by Prof Frimpong Boateng entitled “Report on the work of IMCIM so far and the way forward.”