A Professor of Finance and Economics at the University of Ghana, Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for failing to address the issue of illegal mining, known as galamsey, within his first six months in office. According to Prof. Bokpin, the President has demonstrated decisiveness in other sectors of the economy but has not taken sufficient action to tackle galamsey.
“Six months is too short, but you know what? Six months has also been long enough for the president to demonstrate,” Prof. Bokpin said on JoyNews’s Newsfile. “Do we need like three years to declare a state of emergency? How many years do we need to repeal the L.I, which they all agreed in opposition that they ought to go with.”
Prof. Bokpin believes that the President’s inaction has allowed the menace of galamsey to persist and worsen its impact on the country. Illegal mining continues to pose a significant threat to Ghana’s environment, particularly in forest reserves and water bodies, while also damaging the country’s reputation as a responsible gold exporter.
