The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has challenged the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to act now to redeem his image in the fight against galamsey as he has about four months to go.
He stated that the President has nothing to lose if he takes drastic measures or decisions to end galamsey since his photos will not be on any ballot paper for votes.
Mr Dwumfour made the call at a joint press conference organised by the Media Coalition Against Galamsey #Stopgalamsey held at the Ghana International Press Centre.
In 2017, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo promised to fight galamsey and even stated that he will put his presidency on the line to curb the menace.
However, almost 4 months to the end of his two terms, the galamsey menace has gotten out of hand.
Most water bodies and forest reserves have been invaded and destroyed by perpetrators.
The menace has become alarming and has sparked anger amongst Ghanaians who feel affected by the effects of galamsey.
Due to this, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, The Forum, The Trades Union Congress, The Ghana Federation of Labour, Kasa Initiative Ghana, The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, The Christian Council of Ghana, The Office of the Chief Imam, BRACE, EcoConscious Ghana, The One Ghana Movement, The CSOs Platform on SDGs, The Peasant Farmer Association of Ghana, and other CSOs came together to say enough is enough.
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Speaking at the event, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour was of the belief that Ghanaians across this country deserve far more than what we are witnessing today.
“Every single day that the President fails to protect our human and constitutional rights to clean, safe drinking water and a healthy environment, which he swore an oath to uphold, he fails in his duty to every one of us,” he stated.
He also stated that all leaders, who swore an oath to uphold their fiduciary responsibility to safeguard Ghana’s natural heritage and tackle the galamsey crisis, have also tragically let Ghanaians down.
“We challenge the President to prove to us that addressing galamsey with the urgency it deserves as a national crisis is of utmost priority over winning the next elections,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He continued,“Mr President, if you have forgotten, we are reminding you that you have about four months to redeem your Presidency, which you stated you were prepared to put on the line to tackle galamsey. “
He assured that the media and civil society organizations and the entire nation is ready to support any decision the President takes to address the menace, urging him to act now.
Ken Ashigbey
For his part, the Convenor for Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ken Ashigbey has stated that the media will work in tandem with the labour union to fight against the menace.
He said there would be more strikes and demonstrations while the media also blackout activities of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for failing to fight against the galamsey menace.
He said the media has been speaking for sometime now but now is time for action calling on all to come together to fight against the menace.
Ghana |Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
