Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has raised concerns about the political strategies of Ghana’s two major parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as the 2024 elections approach.
According to Awuni, both parties are attempting to win the support of illegal miners, known locally as galamseyers, to secure their votes.
In an interview on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, Awuni highlighted the ethical dilemma faced by the political parties.
“Both parties are trying to court these illegal miners and get them to vote for them. So there is that dilemma that if we act, we are not going to get votes,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Professor Ransford Gyampo, President of the University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), has strongly criticised the government’s handling of the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
His comments come after a closed-door meeting between President Akufo-Addo and leaders of Organised Labour on Thursday, where the President asked for more time to address the galamsey crisis.
The meeting was prompted by Organised Labour’s declaration of an indefinite strike set for October 10. The strike was announced on Tuesday, October 1, after the government failed to meet their demands for a total ban on all forms of mining and the declaration of a state of emergency to combat galamsey.
During the meeting, President Akufo-Addo appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider the planned strike, assuring them of his commitment to addressing their concerns. Subsequently, on Friday, October 4, the Infomation Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar issued a statement indicating the government’s commitment to dealing with the galamsey crisis.
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Friday, Prof Gyampo expressed his disapproval of the government’s communication strategy.
He emphasised that organised labour has not yet had the opportunity to brief its members on the developments, making the government’s statement seem hasty and unhelpful.
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