Former Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has expressed concern over public misunderstanding of President Mahama’s position on illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
He clarified that the President never promised to resolve the complex issue within a strict 120-day timeframe, emphasizing that no such commitment was made in any of Mahama’s public statements. Vanderpuye urged for a more accurate and nuanced discussion on the matter, considering the profound impact of galamsey on local communities.
In an interview with Channel One TV, Mr. Vanderpuye acknowledged President Mahama’s determination to end illegal mining but reiterated the absence of a specific deadline for achieving that goal.
“It is not a fight that will end in 120 days, and President Mahama did not say anywhere that within 120 days he will end galamsey. He said he will end galamsey, so it could be today, one year, or beyond,” he stated.
He encouraged the public to focus on the administration’s commitment to addressing the issue, rather than expecting a rapid resolution to what he described as a complex and longstanding national challenge.
“What we should focus on is the effort being put into the fight and the level of commitment being shown, which must be embraced by all of us to end this menace,” he added.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate regarding the government’s anti-galamsey campaign and claims related to the administration’s achievements within its first 120 days in office.
