Political science lecturer and governance analyst, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has fired back at former Presidential Staffer Dennis Miracles Aboagye, accusing him of contributing to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) electoral defeat.
The response follows Miracles’ sharp criticism on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show, where he accused Prof. Gyampo and other vocal critics of the previous Akufo-Addo administration of going silent on the worsening illegal mining crisis under the current NDC government.
Miracles specifically questioned why Prof Gyampo, who once pushed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to sign an anti-galamsey undertaking, has not held President Mahama to the same standard amid reports of escalating environmental degradation.
“When was the last time you heard Prof Gyampo talking about galamsey? He chased Bawumia to sign an undertaking… If Mahama signed, then Prof Gyampo, take that undertaking and call out the President… If not, you’re a big disservice to this country,” Miracles said.
But Prof. Gyampo, also appearing on Kokrokoo, dismissed the accusation and defended his role as a consistent advocate against illegal mining.
“The NPP lost the election because of how people like him speak,” Prof Gyampo fired back.
“We are not silent. In fact, we’ve met with President Mahama and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to remind them of the President’s pledge to fight galamsey,” he added.
He stated that although the measures currently being implemented are not yet sufficient, the Mahama-led government has “given every indication that they are working at it”.
“The respect shown to us by this administration is far better than what we received under the previous one, and that deserves a constructive response,” he added.
