Joyce Bawah Mogtari criticizes silence of 2016 ‘Agenda Change’ advocates on galamsey crisis

Special aide to NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has raised concern regarding the muted responses of former advocates for “agenda change” from 2016 in holding the current government accountable for its failures, particularly in tackling the escalating issue of illegal mining(galamsey).

In a Facebook post on Monday, October 7, she criticized the apparent reluctance of these individuals to address the stark realities facing the nation today, questioning why they have shifted from fervent criticism of Mahama during the power crisis to a conspicuous silence regarding the current administration’s shortcomings.

According to her, if they made no excuses for Mahama during the power crisis and blamed him entirely for a historical issue he didn’t create, why are they now so reluctant to admit that the man who promised to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey has failed spectacularly?

Madam Mogtari emphasized that the ramifications of illegal mining extend beyond Ghana’s borders, posing a global environmental threat that endangers ecosystems and food supplies.

“The fact that rivers polluted by galamsey are now emptying into the Atlantic Ocean should alert everyone to the global dimension of this crisis.
This is no longer just a Ghanaian problem; it is an international environmental disaster that threatens the entire ecosystem. This has never happened before, and it underscores the seriousness of the threat we face,” she cautioned.

She expressed belief that Mahama will win the next election, and just as he resolved the power crisis, he will help win the fight against galamsey.

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Each time I read the lengthy treatises from the former crusaders of “agenda change” in 2016, it’s clear that many of them have now lost their voice when it comes to critically assessing the actions – or inactions – of the current government. They seem either unwilling or unable to fully criticize Akufo-Addo and Bawumia for their failure to tackle the menace of illegal mining, known as #galamsey.

We all remember that no one blamed former President Kufuor for not finding a sustainable solution to the power distribution challenges Ghana faced, nor did they write long sermons about how John Mahama had inherited the power crisis that peaked during his presidency. Yet, these same individuals, who once had so much to say, are now conspicuously silent when it comes to holding Akufo-Addo and Bawumia accountable.

They appear to be embarrassed by their unalloyed support for the current administration and now find themselves struggling to regain credibility and influence. If you made no excuses for Mahama during the power crisis and blamed him entirely for a historical issue he didn’t create, why are you now so reluctant to admit that the man who promised to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, has failed spectacularly?

We are facing an existential threat: polluted rivers, unprecedented illegal mining in our forest reserves, and contaminated water sources are putting even our food supplies at risk. Yet, instead of addressing these critical issues, some choose to write long, convoluted statements, seeking praise and validation they no longer deserve. Their credibility has vanished, and so too has their ability to convince anyone of their cause.

The fact that rivers polluted by galamsey are now emptying into the Atlantic Ocean should alert everyone to the global dimension of this crisis.

This is no longer just a Ghanaian problem; it is an international environmental disaster that threatens the entire ecosystem. This has never happened before, and it underscores the seriousness of the threat we face.

Make no mistake, Mahama will win the next election, and just as he resolved the power crisis, he will help us win the fight against galamsey.

But the real pain of these former critics is that their baseless condemnations of Mahama will soon be proven wrong. This is why they are desperately trying to equate two regimes that have nothing in common.