Six of the 12 presidential contenders in the 2024 elections have pledged to finish the fight against illegal mining, regardless of the election’s outcome, according to Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey.
John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, Kofi Akpaloo of the LPG, Hassan Ayariga of the APC, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, and George Twum-Barimah-Adu are among the six candidates, he claims.
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Dr. Ashigbey gave a press briefing to announce the development.
There will not be a “honeymoon” period for these candidates, he said, whether they win the election or not.
It will be required of them to start working on the battle against Galamsey right now.
In September 2024, the coalition declared its intention to urge the presidential candidates of the NPP and NDC to explicitly state their positions on the galamsey problem.
During this period, calls for a state of emergency increased the pressure on the Akufo-led government to address the Galamsey crisis.
Dr. Ashigbey stated that in order to avert environmental damage, especially to water bodies, the Coalition is seeking for a state of emergency and stronger enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws rather than a total ban on mining.
