The General Secretary of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Citizen Ato Dadzie, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take immediate steps to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the menace could soon evolve into a national security threat.
Speaking in an interview on Happy 98.9 FM’s Epa Hoa Daben show with Bismark Brown popularly known as BB, Mr. Dadzie dismissed suggestions that his criticism of the President was personal, stressing that his concern stems from the growing dangers galamsey poses to the nation.
According to him, credible reports from various illegal mining zones indicate that some groups of galamsey operators are gradually organizing themselves into militant-like formations, with the potential to transform into terrorist groups if not urgently addressed.
“Information coming from these galamsey areas reveals that the galamseyers are gradually forming terrorism groups, which, when they gain financial backing, could escalate into a major national crisis,” he cautioned.
Mr. Dadzie further argued that President Mahama cannot tackle galamsey through a party manifesto alone, but must instead champion the development of a comprehensive national plan supported by all stakeholders.
“I want President Mahama to understand that we don’t solve galamsey with a party manifesto but with a national plan, and I am personally committed to supporting such an initiative,” he stated.
He called on all politicians and stakeholders opposed to illegal mining to unite and contribute ideas toward the formulation of a national strategy to eliminate the menace once and for all.
