Mining Consultant and Policy Analyst Wisdom Gomashie has criticized the Government over what he describes as its inability to fight the illegal mining menace that has ravaged water bodies and forests across the country.
Speaking on Wontumi TV’s morning show with host Oheneba Asiedu, Gomashie said the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) push for a state of emergency during President Akufo Addo’s tenure was a call made in hypocrisy.
He argued that the current Government has failed to declare a state of emergency itself because it now understands, in office, that the action was never practically feasible.
Gomashie believes the contrast between the NDC’s posturing in opposition and its posturing in government raises questions about the credibility of politicians generally.
“The actions of politicians sometimes turn the devil into a saint,” he said.
According to him, President Akufo Addo’s decision not to declare a state of emergency at the time was taken in good faith, largely because of the cost implications for the nation’s finances.
Speaking from his experience as a mining consultant, he said: “If you tell me to declare a state of emergency on mining, I will tell you no it is not the right solution.”
He noted that his reasoning aligns with President Akufo-Addo’s own justification at the time, which centered on the employment benefits small-scale mining provides in the country.
Gomashie went on to criticize the Government further, saying illegal mining has become more rampant under the NDC administration, alleging that President Mahama would even allow miners the opportunity to mine at the Jubilee House.
He also said the establishment of GoldBod has paved the way for illegal mining to grow, adding that GoldBod’s required gold sales targets far exceed the production capacity of small-scale miners.
“Because small-scale miners’ gold production is not even half of GoldBod’s sales target,” he said.
The policy analyst also said President Mahama’s comments legitimized illegal mining when he asked Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) whether the Government should allow illegal miners to walk away with the gold they mine.
“That is a statement that legitimizes illegal mining,” he stated.