The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the removal of President Akufo-Addo as Co-Chair United Nations Eminent Group of Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, over his government’s failure to fight illegal mining.
In an address to the media today from the banks of the Pra River, National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said the supposed fight against illegal mining, notoriously known as “galamsey” has ended up a robbing of Peter to pay Paul.
This was in reference to the recent scandal in which it has been discovered seized excavators and gold taken from illegal miners have been shared to NPP party members as booty.
Also, NPP members involved in illegal mining, per secretly recorded audio from conversation that Minister for Environment, Prof. Frimpong Boateng had with party members have indicated that, have been left untouched while the government closed down other illegal mines.
“the destructive manifestation of “Galamsey” being supervised by President Akufo-Addo in Ghana defeats the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which Ghana subscribes to.
“It is an afront to notably, SDG 6, 13, 14 and 15 which all talk about clean water, sanitation, climate action, conservation and sustainability of land, water and marine resources,” Sammy Gyamfi said.
President Akufo-Addo was appointed co-chair of the United Nations SDG Advocates together with Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, even though President Akufo-Addo’s appointment to the Group was an honour to Ghana, he has failed to live up to the appointment.
“His corrupt government has become an active enabler and promoter of the “galamsey” menace and the destruction of the environment in a way that affronts the SDGs of the United Nations.
“He has proven to be unfit for the prestigious position of Co-Chair of the UN SDGs Advocates, for which reason he must be removed without delay.
“And, we are absolutely convinced beyond doubt that the United Nations will act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, the international community and the environment,” the Communications Officer said.