Renowned broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has said President Akufo-Addo has not been able to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, despite the devastation to water bodies and farmlands because he’s being haunted by memories of his near loss of the 2020 general election.
During a panel discussion on Peace FM on Monday, September 9, 2024, Sefa Kayi said the President’s lack of action on the menace is because he does not want his party to lose the upcoming December 7 general elections.
“Even though he does (have the power to cause the arrest of galamseyers), the 2020 election may have frightened him… Everyone is seeking victory for his political party,” Kwami Sefa Kayi stated.
The celebrated journalist further questioned President Akufo-Addo’s silence on the negative effect of illegal mining on the environment when the Asantehene took a decisive move on the issue.
He described this as an indictment on Akufo-Addo’s office as president.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, a fortnight ago, destooled three of his chiefs for carrying out illegal mining activities in their communities in the Ashanti Region.
The affected chiefs included the Gyaasehene of Sabronum, Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi, Sabronum’s Akyeamehene, and the Baamuhene, for encouraging the galamseyers.
Kwami Sefa Kayi, reacting to Otumfuo’s actions, said, “Otumfuo dealt with the canker based on complaints he received about those involved in galamsey activities. There has been a lot of media coverage about illicit mining in this nation.
“The president is claiming not to have heard it? Multimedia’s Erastus Asare Donkor has dedicated his life to covering illicit mining and the devastation it does to our ecosystem, to the point where he was awarded Journalist of the Year. When Otumfuo heard it, he acted. Therefore, is the President claiming not to have heard it? Why can’t the President investigate on his behalf if Otumfuo can use state investigative intelligence, such as the BNI?”
“Ultimately, even though we support and celebrate Otumfuo, it is an indictment on the President, the ruling party, and our security services because, given his full range of powers, the President could accomplish the same thing that the Asantehene did,” he concluded.
