Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu has the unalloyed support of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his fight against illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ in the country.
Communicators of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had intimated that the minister who has become the toast of the country for daring to fight galamsey was now been derailed by some political power blocs in the current administration.
The NDC communicators claim that a statement from the Ministry reacting to a Bureau of National investigations (BNI) report which stated that the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II was perceived to be involved in galamsey activities pointed to the fact that the Minister has started facing a certain level of political intimidation.
This claim, Nana Yaw Preko speaking on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ Wednesday said is not factual as according to him, the Lands Minister has the full support and backing of the President to eradicate galamsey in the country.
“Nobody is threatening Amewu, he has the full support of his Excellency the President, the President has said time without number that he stands by it and he means it…,” he said.
Nana Preko maintained that the NPP government is committed to ending the menace despite threats that the Nana Addo administration would be voted against in the 2020 elections if the government does not stop its fight against galamsey.
President Akufo-Addo unlike former President John Mahama, he said ready to provide the ‘political leadership’ to end the menace no matter the consequences.
“The President with the support of Peter Amewu would want to in the future proudly hit his chest and say that indeed, I was the man who ended the menace of galamsey and prevented Chinese from destroying our water resources…,” he said.
He further called on Ghanaians to rally behind the President and the lands and Natural resources Minister for a successful fight of the menace.
This argument, fellow panelist on the show, Agbesi Nutsu said should be backed by action as Otiko Afisa Djaba had the support of the President but was distracted by NPP Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bugri Naabu.
“Otiko Afisa Djaba had the full support of the President, but yet Bugri Naabu was able to destroy a meeting she was holding…the ministry organized the meeting but still Naabu disrupted the meeting…,” he said.
Peter Amewu has since his appointment been at the forefront of the fight against galamsey in the country.
He has caused the removal of several excavators from galamsey sites with a new BNI report naming and shaming major actors involved in the fight against the menace.
