Mining expert Nana Biribireba Boateng has criticized parts of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) manifesto delivered by flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, suggesting that the manifesto implicitly indicts President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government.
Speaking on M’abato3 on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi with William Evans-Nkum, Boateng argued that the manifesto highlights severe shortcomings within the current administration.
Boateng, also the Chief Executive Officer of Christal Mining Consult, contended that Dr Bawumia could not distance himself from the government’s failures.
He specifically criticized the administration’s track record in combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, accusing the government of failing to address the issue effectively.
“The galamsey fight has been very disappointing, and the government has failed Ghanaians,” Boateng stated. He accused the government of making grand promises on national policy and environmental protection while failing to act.
Boateng also expressed scepticism about the proposed establishment of a mining bank mentioned in the NPP manifesto. He questioned who would benefit from this initiative, querying whether it would serve galamsey operators, small-scale miners, community mining scheme members, or large-scale miners.
He concluded by emphasizing that government promises must be substantiated with concrete actions and criticizing the administration for its perceived discrepancies between its commitments and actual practices.
