A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communication Team, Fiifi Decker has criticized President John Mahama for what he calls “his slow approach” in addressing illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking to Bismark Brown, popularly known as BB, on Happy98.9FM’s Epa Hoa Daben show, Mr. Decker argued that every new government prioritizes urgent national issues upon assuming office. He had expected President Mahama to make the fight against galamsey his first priority instead of focusing on other matters.
He further claimed that since taking office, President Mahama has dismissed or discontinued cases involving members of his party. According to him, the president should exercise the same authority to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining an action that does not require committee formations or new legislation.
Mr. Decker also pointed out that when Mahama was in opposition, he pressured former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take decisive action against galamsey. Therefore, the NPP had anticipated that Mahama would immediately declare a state of emergency on the issue upon his inauguration. However, instead of taking swift action, he has resorted to forming committees.
He criticized Mahama for failing to act as urgently on illegal mining as he had demanded when he was in opposition.