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Executive Director of the Alliance for Christian Advocacy, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to rescind his government’s decision to deport illegal miners, particularly foreign nationals, without prosecution.
According to Rev. Opuni Frimpong, the policy is a “defeatist approach” that weakens the country’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, the outspoken clergyman described the decision as unfair and dangerous to Ghana’s justice system.
“This is not the kind of leadership we expect. Why should foreigners who come here to destroy our water bodies be sent back to their countries, while Ghanaians who commit the same offence are thrown into prison?” he questioned.
Rev. Opuni Frimpong added that this policy sends the wrong signal and gives foreigners a “comfortable ride” at the expense of the nation’s environment and laws.
“They always say pastors have kept quiet, but this is not about silence. We gave them the honeymoon period, but this is wrong, and it must be corrected,” he stated.
The President’s administration has faced backlash over this approach, which was first announced by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, and later reinforced by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The Ministry of the Interior claimed that the decision was influenced by loopholes in Ghana’s justice delivery system, which allowed some foreigners to escape prosecution.
As a result, the government opted to deport such individuals to be tried in their home countries.
However, Rev. Opuni Frimpong insists this is unacceptable.
“If a Ghanaian breaks the law, they face the consequences here. Why should foreigners be treated differently? If they commit crimes on our soil, they should be prosecuted and imprisoned here, just like any Ghanaian,” he stressed.
He also sent a direct appeal to Mahama.
“I am calling on former President Mahama to rescind this decision. If he didn’t authorize it, he must come out and publicly reject it.”
Rev. Opuni Frimpong warned that failure to reverse this policy would make the fight against illegal mining even more difficult.
“If this continues, it will discourage the efforts to curb galamsey. Any NDC member who loves this country must advise their leadership on this. We cannot punish Ghanaians and set foreigners free,” he concluded.
