Former Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority in charge of Finance and Administration, Akosua Asaa Manu, has vehemently defended former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo against accusations of being a “galamsey kingpin.”
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, she dismissed such claims as baseless and challenged the current NDC Majority in Parliament to overturn existing laws that facilitate illegal mining if they are truly committed to ending the menace.
Akosua Manu, who was also the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Adentan constituency in the 2024 election, highlighted that the Akufo-Addo administration undertook bold measures to combat galamsey, including policies to reclaim degraded lands and restore polluted water bodies.
She referred to his famous statement, “I have put my presidency on the line,” as evidence of his unwavering commitment to fighting illegal mining.
“How dare anyone call him a galamsey kingpin when he led the most aggressive fight against this menace?” she challenged.
During her submission, Madam Manu cited a comment made by Hon. Sam George, the current Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, in response to a social media user on X. Mr. George explained that the Legislative Instrument (LI) allowing mining in forest reserves was introduced during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure and automatically became law after 21 days without requiring a vote.
He added that while all 137 NDC MPs at the time were against the LI, they needed 47 NPP MPs to reach the required numbers to overturn it. Quoting him, Akosua Manu challenged the NDC Majority to walk the talk, saying, “Sam George said the NDC Minority then needed 47 NPP MPs to join them to overturn the LI. Granted, now that you have the numbers, show leadership and overturn this LI if you truly want to end galamsey.”
Akosua Manu also criticized the previous NDC administration under John Mahama for failing to address illegal mining effectively, noting that between 2012 and 2021, galamsey activities escalated significantly. She pointed out that research over the period showed some improvement in water turbidity in 2019 under President Akufo-Addo.
“Mahama’s minister, Hon. Inusah Fuseini, admitted they didn’t have the will and the numbers to fight galamsey. Now that the NDC has a super majority in Parliament, they must prove their commitment,” she added.
While bemoaning the increasingly dire security situation in the country, the former deputy CEO further referenced journalist Erastus Asare Donkor’s recent comments about threats he received for exposing galamsey activities.
She noted that the alleged backing of ‘powerful hands and people’ behind illegal mining operations remained a major stumbling block in the fight to protect Ghana’s water bodies and environment. “Galamsey is a cancer hurting us all,” she warned.
“It’s time for decisive action, not baseless accusations,” she concluded.
