NAPO calls for national unity to fight galamsey, questions Mahama’s commitment

The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately known as Napo, has challenged political parties, especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to show their dedication to combating illegal mining, or galamsey, by signing a “binding national anti-galamsey pact.”

Addressing the 13th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowship at KNUST, Napo stressed that the fight against galamsey should be driven by national consensus.

He also urged religious leaders, particularly the church, to spearhead efforts in developing the pact.

With elections fast approaching on December 7, Dr. Prempeh emphasized that the nation’s future depends on addressing the environmental threat posed by galamsey.

He expressed skepticism over former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, recalling instances where NDC officials allegedly endorsed illegal activities. He further referenced Mahama’s 2020 promise to grant amnesty to jailed illegal miners, questioning the sincerity of his position.

Despite political divisions, Napo reassured the Methodist congregation and Ghanaians that the NPP, under Dr. Bawumia’s leadership, would willingly sign the proposed pact and continue its efforts to combat galamsey.

He called on the NDC to clearly outline their strategy and join the NPP in prioritizing the environment over political gain, reaffirming that the NPP’s 2024 manifesto outlines specific measures to protect the country’s water bodies and promote responsible mining.