Daryl Bosu, Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, has expressed deep concerns about shifting the responsibility of combating galamsey to presidential candidates.
He argues that some civil society organizations (CSOs) are misguided in demanding swift action from candidates, as the onus lies with the current President, Akufo-Addo, to address this issue.
Mr Bosu emphasises that President Akufo-Addo holds the key to resolving the galamsey menace, stating that it’s unfair to burden future leaders with the problem.
He believes that the sitting President should take immediate action to address the environmental degradation and social disruption caused by galamsey.
Several civil society organisations (CSOs) are urging the flagbearers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, to publicly disclose their positions on galamsey.
Some CSOs are even calling on President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency to tackle the issue head-on
The Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana emphasized that Ghanaians shouldn’t wait until 2025 for galamsey to be addressed, as President Akufo-Addo has the power to act now.
Mr Bosu made these comments during an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV.
“To me, it’s been quite shocking that we’re still in power and we’re saying that the decision or the interest and commitments to dealing with galamsey should be the one relegated to the flagbearers who are seeking to contest this year and hoping to be sworn in by 2025.
“I think we might expect something from the flagbearers, and every voter wants to see what the politicians are going to say. But for me, I think that we’re looking at the person in power now who said everything there was to say, about commitments to restoring our natural heritage and cleaning our rivers.
“He said he was prepared to put his presidency on the line, I don’t know who else to turn to if I say galamsey must be stopped than the President. I put a lot of expectations on this President than anybody else.”
He urged voters not to let politicians deceive them into tolerating galamsey, advising them to remain vigilant during the 2024 general elections
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