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Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has strongly criticized President Akufo-Addo’s handling of the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’
In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Whittal expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the President’s failure to fulfill his promise to combat the harmful practice, which continues to cause extensive damage to Ghana’s environment and poses significant health risks to the public. He highlighted the gravity of the broken promise, stressing its impact on public health.
“The Commission feels so disappointed in the fight against galamsey and artisanal mining. We are disappointed that no less a person than the President would put his presidency on the line,” Whittal said. “Presidents don’t promise and fail on their promises. For what has happened, which has dire implications on the health of so many Ghanaians, I must say, the government and the President have disappointed Ghanaians.”
Whittal further endorsed calls for a state of emergency to be declared to address the galamsey crisis, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“I have heard some people call on the President to declare a state of emergency, and I actually subscribe to that. Why wait? If you look at the pollution and the effects it is already having… it appears the government seems unconcerned and is ignoring all these worrying trends. I don’t understand,” he stated.
He concluded by urging the President to act before leaving office, noting, “If you win the people’s vote, you are supposed to work for them. So this is a disappointment from the government and from the President, who has a lot of human rights credentials. He should do something before leaving power.”
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