News
PNC Chairman urges President Mahama to involve Minority Parties in Galamsey fight
The Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Samson Asaki Awingobit, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to involve minority political parties in the national fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
According to him, the fight against galamsey should not be limited to the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) alone, but should include all political parties to ensure a united and effective national approach.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Awingobit commended the government for the recent improvements in the economy, saying indicators such as inflation, interest rates, and the exchange rate have shown signs of stability.
He praised the establishment of the nine-member committee to tackle illegal mining, expressing confidence that it will deliver positive results.
However, he urged President Mahama to extend invitations to minority political parties to participate in discussions and initiatives aimed at ending galamsey.
“This galamsey fight should not be only for the government and CSOs; it should be for all Ghanaians,” he said. “Invite us — you might not like our opinions, but I believe you will get strong support from many minority political parties if they are involved.”
Mr. Awingobit stressed that including political parties in the conversation will make the fight a collective national effort rather than a partisan one.
“The President should share his policies and plans with us and also consider our suggestions. When we all come together, it will be Ghana’s success — not just that of the NDC or the government of the day,” he said.
He further noted that a successful fight against illegal mining will help restore the nation’s forests and water bodies and reduce the pollution caused by harmful chemicals like mercury.
Mr. Awingobit concluded by urging all political leaders and citizens to unite behind the government’s efforts to protect the environment and secure Ghana’s future.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
