The National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kate Gyamfua, has expressed scepticism about the recent surge in protests against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem on Friday, she questioned why many Ghanaians did not support President Akufo-Addo’s efforts to curb the menace.

“When Akufo-Addo was busy addressing this issue by burning excavators at illegal mining sites, they didn’t join the campaign. Why are they making noise about it now? They should wait until after the elections. If we had supported Akufo Addo, we would have been addressing this issue now. Let’s wait until after the 2024 elections to deal with the illegal mining problem, but not now,” she said.

In her view, the President had taken bold steps, including the controversial burning of excavators at illegal mining sites

The NPP National Women’s Organizer criticized those blaming the current government for the galamsey crisis, pointing out that former President John Mahama promised to release jailed galamsey offenders if he returned to power.

“The people who are currently demonstrating, where were they when President Akufo Addo was dealing with this issue? Why are they blaming the current government for the illegal mining problem, forgetting that former President Mahama said he would release illegal miners from prison if he became President? Madam Gyamfua quizzed.

Watch the video below: