The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have come under fire from the creator of the Media Coalition Against illicit Mining for failing to include illicit mining as a top priority in their manifestos. Talking on Joy News' PM Express, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey stressed that both sides needed to address the widespread damage that illegal mining—known locally as "galamsey"—is causing to water bodies. Dr. Ashigbey bemoaned, "We are starting to observe turbidity levels of 14,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) in our rivers, which needs to be treated to less than one NTU." "Lack of leadership is directly to blame for this, and both of the major political parties' manifestos downplay the severity of the situation. Our statements
In order to preserve Ghana's water bodies, Dr. Ashigbey urged the NDC and NPP to prioritize the battle against illicit mining as part of an immediate adjustment in their political agenda during their presidential campaign.
He contended, "We cannot put off addressing this issue until the next election."
"All sides must unite and pledge their support for measures aimed at preserving our water resources. He emphasized that "this should not be made into a party issue—it is about survival."
He attacked both sides for not acting quickly enough to address the environmental harm that illegal mining has created, which has brought Ghana's water bodies dangerously close to extinction.
He said, "We are presently creating an ecological system that will go extinct."
"We must stop forgetting that there was a Ghana before we came here."
Dr. Ashigbey bemoaned the absence of decisive action from political leaders, drawing a comparison between their passivity and the strong leadership of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who has penalized chiefs within his domain who have engaged in illicit mining.
"What stops our political leaders from doing the same if the monarch of Ashanti can take action against his own chiefs?" the man asked.
In addition, he exhorted every Ghanaian to seek greater environmental protection measures and hold their political leaders accountable.
"The next elections are in 94 days. Preserving our ecosystem and water bodies must be our top focus between now and then, he stated.
The Press
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