Kwasi Kwarteng, a member of Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team, has described illegal mining as a political problem which could be addressed by President John Dramani Mahama.

On JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, October 20, Mr Kwarteng argued that the issue has long been politicised, and therefore, the responsibility to address it now rests solely with the government.

"No Ghanaian is going to take the responsibility of fighting galamsey; let President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) take that responsibility," he said. He emphasised, "Galamsey is not a Ghanaian problem; it is a political problem, like you made us believe."

"A few months ago, you people (NDC) weaponised the fight against galamsey; we (NPP) kept telling you to let us stop weaponising the fight against galamsey and let us find a holistic approach to addressing it; you didn't mind us," he stated.

He explained that when former President Akufo-Addo was in office, the NDC had insisted that galamsey was a political issue and pledged to resolve it if given power.

"You said it was an Akufo-Addo problem, and Akufo-Addo and his appointees were the ones behind galamsey, and when Akufo-Addo is removed from office, all of a sudden there will be a miracle to restore our water bodies, and there will be nothing like galamsey. Today, Akufo-Addo is no longer there."

Mr Kwarteng therefore contended that with President John Mahama now at the helm, the NDC should take full responsibility for tackling the menace without calling for a collective national effort.

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