Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, has pushed back against the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) criticism of the Mahama government’s handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Mr. Adjei argued that the fight against galamsey is a complex battle that cannot be won within a few months.
“The NPP has started too early, telling the NDC we haven’t been able to end galamsey. But if it was that easy, why didn’t they end it in eight years but expect us to do so in eight months?” he fired.
He maintained that the Mahama administration has made significant progress, pointing to the seizure of over 440 excavators, 900 water pumps, and 300 changfans, as well as the arrest of more than 1,000 illegal miners.
Mr. Adjei also cited the revocation of L.I. 2462 licenses for mining in forest reserves as evidence of government’s commitment, stressing that no new permits have been issued since the NDC took office.
“This government is following due process. You cannot just wake up and cancel licenses that were legally obtained; there are procedures, and we are respecting the law,” he explained.
He urged Ghanaians to remain patient, insisting that the Mahama administration is laying a sustainable foundation to end galamsey once and for all.
Source: Jagri Boaz Binyinjom
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