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Mr President, rescind this policy before Ghana is destroyed– Prof. Aning’s plea over galamsey directive
Security expert Professor Kwasi Aning has criticised government’s new policy in handling of foreign nationals involved in galamsey, which he said could ultimately destroy the country.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, April 8, he described the Interior Minister’s decision as “populist,” “unthoughtful,” and “a disgrace,” arguing that it fails to address the root causes of illegal mining and sends a dangerous message to transnational criminal elements.
“I have absolutely no sympathy,” he said.
“I detest being an independent Ghanaian in Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana and being treated like a second-class citizen. And let me appeal to the President directly; Mr. President, rescind this policy before this country is destroyed.”
The policy in question, announced by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, directs the Inspector General of Police to immediately transfer all regional, divisional, and district police commanders who have served for long periods in mining areas without showing significant progress in the fight against illegal mining.
In a further controversial move, the Minister said that foreign nationals caught engaging in galamsey would be deported without prosecution.
Prof. Aning condemned the deportation approach as not only ineffective but deeply damaging to Ghana’s sovereignty and justice system.
“This is a policy that will serve as an attraction for even worse criminals to come,” he warned.
“They know we don’t have the capacity to prosecute them. They know we don’t have the political will to do what is right for the people of this country.”
He challenged the President to make his final term count, stating that the current approach falls drastically short of the promises made in the State of the Nation Address.
“This is your legacy term—let it matter and let it count,” he implored. “Your minister has demonstrated an unwillingness and a reluctance to hold the bull by the horns and resolve this crisis.”
While he acknowledged that some changes in police deployment could be beneficial, he stressed that arbitrary transfers without resources and proper accountability structures would be meaningless.
“I think it’s useful that we give the police officers performance indicators,” Prof. Aning said.
“But we need to give them the resources, Your Excellency, so that the three months can be tested and their results checked.”
He didn’t hold back on what he sees as the broader implications of the policy.
“We cannot have a two-tier law. We cannot have a two-tier implementation process. The manner in which this has been presented to the Republic of Ghana is shameful. It is not thought through. It is populist, and it is a disgrace.”
Prof. Aning concluded with a passionate plea to President Mahama to stay true to his earlier commitments to the environment and national integrity.
“Let this be your legacy term by reclaiming the environment, as you promised the people of Ghana in your State of the Nation Address. We cannot afford more half-measures,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
