We’ll vote against you; don’t dare come and campaign – Man fumes as excavator is burnt
An illegal miner involved in galamsey has expressed his anger toward the government, particularly President Akufo-Addo and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), following a military taskforce’s operation that resulted in the burning of his excavator. In a video shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the miner vowed to lead his community in voting against the NPP in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections. His frustration stemmed from the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, which is aimed at protecting the environment but has affected his livelihood.
The miner expressed his discontent with the NPP’s decision to ramp up efforts against galamsey, warning that the party would face political consequences for its actions. He remarked angrily:
“The fools among the leaders are too many now. We will stop campaigning for the party. They will do the campaigning themselves with their children. Whether they like it or not, we will vote against them during the general elections. We will not allow them to campaign in this area. Look at what they’ve done to this excavator. Why should they burn it?”
The government’s increased efforts to combat illegal mining, especially along the Birim River, have intensified in recent months. This includes the destruction of 18 chanfan machines, 10 water pumping machines, and other industrial equipment associated with illicit gold extraction as part of the military-led Operation Halt. This operation, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, aims to address the severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities, particularly the pollution of water bodies and destruction of farmlands.
The recent raid targeted the Anyinam area in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, a notorious hotspot for galamsey operations. Though many illegal miners fled after receiving a tip-off, the taskforce still managed to seize and destroy key equipment. The government’s actions have sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the efforts to restore the environment, while others, like the disgruntled miner, feel that their livelihoods are being unfairly targeted.
However, the military still managed to seize and destroy essential equipment used in the illicit mining operations.
A man fumes as an excavator is set on fire following the president's decision to clamp down on illegal miners. He !nsulted the leaders and stated that they would conduct their own campaign with their ch!ldren and vote against them in the upcoming elections.#StopGalamseyNow pic.twitter.com/vKgk9h8xyE
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) October 10, 2024
