Galamsey has emerged as one of the most discussed topics in the country. The issue keeps dropping and reemerging. The President Akufo-Addo government since assuming office have waged a number of campaigns against galamsey. However, it looks like their efforts have yielded very little. The resurfacing of Aisha Huang has brought up the issue of the sincerity of the government in fighting galamsey.
President Akufo-Addo after assuming office in 2017 promised that he was ready to put down his presidency to ensure that he clamps down on galamsey. A careful look at the 2016 and 2020 elections shows that the NDC under John Mahama have been the beneficiary of votes in galamsey sites. So then, what exactly did the NDC promise the galamseyers. It can be recalled that one of the main campaign points of the NDC was their concern to ensure legal mining.
The NDC promised to grant amnesty to unlawfully arrested galamseyers. John Mahama also promised to grant licenses for small miners to legalize their activities. At some point, the NDC used the issue of galamsey as a catalyst to condemn the ruling NPP. In so doing the NPP began to lose votes. Many who were not ready to switch parties decided to vote in the famous skirt and blouse. This ensured that the NPP will win the presidential elections but lose the parliamentary seats. Check out how the 2 major political parties fared in galamsey sites in the Western Region in the last 2 elections.
According to Ben Ephson while speaking to Evans Mensah on PM Express said the fight against galamsey was the reason why the NPP lost so many seats in the last election. He cited a number of constituencies that chose to rather vote for the NDC who promised some form of pardon for arrested galamsey victims.
With the renewed fight against galamsey and the NDC propaganda about Aisha Huang, many expect more votes for the NDC if this trend continues. Ghanaians continue to ask for an end for galamsey, but those in those in galamsey sites aren’t ready to vote for any political party that tries to fight galamsey? Will the renewed fight make the ruling NPP lose more votes or in 2024 it will bring them more votes?
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