Inusah Fuseini, former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has criticised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent comments on illegal mining popularly known as “galamsey,” as a failure to fulfil his responsibilities in addressing the issue.
President Akufo-Addo, during a meeting with chiefs in the North-East Region on his ‘Thank You Tour’ on Tuesday, October 15, accused the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, of making inconsistent and contradictory statements regarding the fight against galamsey.
The president urged Mahama to take a clear and firm stance on the issue.
In response, Inusah Fuseini, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, October 15, dismissed the president’s accusations and defended Mahama’s track record in the mining sector.
He argued that the NDC has always maintained a well-defined, comprehensive vision for managing small-scale mining and tackling illegal operations.
Fuseini accused President Akufo-Addo of deliberately misrepresenting Mahama’s position on galamsey for political advantage, stating that such tactics divert attention from the government’s own shortcomings in the fight against illegal mining.
He reiterated that the NDC’s approach to the sector prioritises sustainability and fairness, while Akufo-Addo’s administration has failed to curb the growing problem of galamsey under its watch.
“Looking at it legally or politically, the NDC is on firm ground in its vision for the mining sector, particularly small-scale mining. Hence, it is not true that John Dramani Mahama has not stated his position. Let me hasten to add that what His Excellency the President is doing is shamelessly politicising the issue,” he stated.
He further criticised President Akufo-Addo for what he described as a failure to effectively address the illegal mining crisis, accusing him of dereliction of duty. Fuseini argued that the president’s recent comments reflected an attempt to shift responsibility rather than tackle the issue head-on.
“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.
