A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Ibrahim Ali, has urged Ghanaians not to compare President John Dramani Mahama’s strategy for combating illegal mining, known as galamsey, to that of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In an interview with Bismark Brown on Happy98.9FM’s Epa Hoa Daben show, Mr. Ali alleged that during Nana Akufo-Addo’s tenure, he was well aware of individuals involved in galamsey activities. According to him, some of these individuals were part of the Jubilee House staff, yet the former president chose to turn a blind eye to their actions.
Mr. Ali further referenced the Frimpong Boateng Report, which reportedly named individuals within the Jubilee House linked to illegal mining and who had been appointed by Nana Akufo-Addo. He asserted that if the former president had been committed to fighting galamsey, he would have started by addressing the issue within his own administration. Mr. Ali claimed that several Ministers and Presidential staffers who worked closely with Nana Akufo-Addo were involved in illegal mining activities.
He criticized Nana Akufo-Addo’s approach to tackling galamsey, describing it as deceptive and aimed solely at winning public approval. He further dismissed the former president’s pledge to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey as mere rhetoric intended to mislead Ghanaians.
In contrast, Mr. Ali praised President Mahama’s renewed efforts to address galamsey, stating that within just a month of taking office, he has already implemented measures to curb the menace. He assured Ghanaians that within 120 days, the impact of Mahama’s initiatives would be evident and demonstrate his genuine commitment to ending illegal mining.