Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has levied sharp criticism against President John Dramani Mahama for what he perceives as a blatant disregard for expert advice on combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, in Ghana. Dr. Zaato’s critique centers on President Mahama’s purported unwillingness to implement two key recommendations: repealing Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and declaring a state of emergency to address the pervasive environmental destruction caused by galamsey. This inaction, according to Dr. Zaato, directly contradicts the prevailing narrative that portrays President Mahama as a receptive and responsive leader.
The crux of Dr. Zaato’s argument revolves around the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s direct engagement with President Mahama on the galamsey issue. He highlights the Bishops’ Conference’s explicit calls for both the repeal of L.I. 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency as crucial steps in effectively tackling the illegal mining crisis. Despite these recommendations coming from a respected institution, Dr. Zaato points out that President Mahama has failed to act on either suggestion. This perceived inaction, he argues, casts serious doubt on the veracity of the “listening president” label often attributed to Mahama.
Dr. Zaato further emphasizes the significance of the Bishops’ Conference’s recommendations, underscoring their expert understanding of the situation and the potential efficacy of their proposed solutions. He contends that by ignoring the advice of such a prominent and influential body, President Mahama not only demonstrates a lack of responsiveness but also undermines the credibility of the “listening president” image. The dissonance between the rhetoric surrounding President Mahama’s receptiveness and his apparent disregard for crucial advice forms the core of Dr. Zaato’s criticism.
Expanding on his critique, Dr. Zaato elaborates on the importance of heeding advice from influential figures and institutions when tackling complex national issues like galamsey. He argues that the willingness to listen and act on sound recommendations is a fundamental quality of effective leadership. By choosing to ignore the advice of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, President Mahama, according to Dr. Zaato, not only demonstrates a failure of leadership but also perpetuates the devastating environmental and socio-economic consequences of uncontrolled illegal mining.
The implications of President Mahama’s perceived inaction extend beyond the immediate environmental damage caused by galamsey. Dr. Zaato suggests that this disregard for expert advice erodes public trust in the government’s ability to address critical national challenges. He emphasizes the importance of aligning rhetoric with action, particularly when it comes to issues of national importance, and argues that the disconnect between President Mahama’s portrayal as a “listening president” and his apparent unwillingness to implement recommended solutions further exacerbates the galamsey problem and undermines public confidence.
In conclusion, Dr. Zaato’s criticism of President Mahama centers on the perceived discrepancy between the president’s image as a receptive leader and his failure to act on crucial recommendations from respected institutions like the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference regarding the galamsey crisis. By juxtaposing the “listening president” narrative with President Mahama’s inaction on the suggested repeal of L.I. 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency, Dr. Zaato challenges the validity of this image and highlights the potential negative consequences of ignoring expert advice on critical national issues. He stresses the importance of consistency between words and actions in effective leadership and argues that, in the case of galamsey, President Mahama’s inaction undermines both his credibility as a responsive leader and the government’s efforts to combat the destructive practice of illegal mining.
