The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Akanjolenur Whittall, has said that President Akufo-Addo has disappointed Ghanaians in the fight against ‘galamsey’.
After promising Ghanaians and putting his presidency on the line, the CHRAJ boss has criticised the President for failing to tackle the menace which has destroyed Ghana’s environment with far-reaching consequences on the lives of the people.
Speaking with the BBC, Mr. Whittall delivered a scathing critique of the President’s efforts in addressing the canker which is also known as ‘galamsey.’
“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.
“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,” he said.
Mr. Whittall backed the recent calls for the declaration of a state of emergency as a means to ending the menace, saying the urgency of the situation makes it imperative.
“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 said.
According to him, with the President’s credentials on human rights, he needs to redeem his image by dealing with the disappointment he has given Ghanaians before leaving office.
Curbing galamsey is the straw of honour the President can give himself before his tenure of office, per the CHRAJ boss’ position.
“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,” he noted.