Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Inusah Fuseini has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his recent demand that former President John Mahama clarify his position on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Fuseini accused the president of politicizing the fight against this pressing issue.
During his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the North East Region on Tuesday, October 15, President Akufo-Addo claimed that Mahama had made contradictory and inconsistent statements regarding galamsey and urged him to take a definitive stance.
In response, Fuseini dismissed the president’s accusations in an interview with Eyewitness News, defending Mahama’s record. He pointed out that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has a clear vision for managing the mining sector, especially small-scale mining, and alleged that President Akufo-Addo is intentionally misrepresenting Mahama’s position for political advantage.
“From both a legal and political standpoint, the NDC stands firmly with its vision for the mining sector, particularly in small-scale mining. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that John Dramani Mahama has not expressed his stance. I must emphasize that the president is shamelessly politicizing this issue,” he stated.
Fuseini further criticized the president’s handling of the galamsey crisis, describing it as a dereliction of duty. He referenced the President’s oath of office, emphasizing that as head of state, Akufo-Addo is constitutionally obligated to uphold the country’s laws, including the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703).
“On January 7, 2021, when His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo, was swearing the oath of office on the Bible, he swore to uphold the laws of this country. He did not take the oath with anybody. He took it to be the president of this country and to uphold the laws.
Minerals and Mining Act 703 is part of the laws of this county. So, it is a manifestation of dereliction of duty for a president to say that he needs other political parties to sign a pact when Article 58 of the constitution vests executive authority in him. When has sworn the oath of office to uphold the law of this country?
“So, Mr. President, if you are listening to Citi FM, your statement marks a dereliction of duty. You are attempting to pass the back to your political opponent and shamelessly politicising the issues of galamsey which is affecting the lives of people and is an existential threat, and affecting farms,” he stated.
