Resident Country Director of International Investments LLC, Ibrahim Adjei, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over his recent denial that he had promised to declare a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Adjei described the President’s position as inconsistent, arguing that statements made by senior members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) while in opposition had raised expectations that emergency powers could be used to address the illegal mining crisis.
Speaking in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Channel One TV on Monday, September 28, Adjei questioned the President’s denial, especially given previous remarks by senior members of his administration.
His comments came after President Mahama said in New York on Friday, September 25, that he had “never ever” stated that he would declare a state of emergency over galamsey.
The President explained that such a step should only be considered as a last resort.
Adjei, however, argued that President Mahama could not separate himself from calls for a state of emergency made by senior NDC figures while the party was in opposition.
“Now, John Dramani Mahama, the President, either is lying or is suffering from some kind of amnesia because how is it that your body politic every day is on TV back in opposition, it calls for a state of emergency and you are saying you don’t know anything about it?” he said.
He also challenged the President’s position in view of earlier statements made by members of his political establishment.
“As a leader, when your spokesman on foreign affairs, now your substantive Minister for Foreign Affairs, says this and you say that you want to play neutral by saying that you never said you would implement it. What are you telling Ghanaians?” he asked.
President Mahama, meanwhile, has reiterated that he has not announced any decision to invoke emergency powers over illegal mining.
He said galamsey affects several regions and that the government already has the legal authority to carry out targeted operations against the activity.
