According to him, both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments have consistently failed to manage Ghana’s natural resources responsibly, leading to growing disillusionment and frustration, particularly among the youth.

Addressing a press conference together with his Vice-Presidential candidate, Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), at Ghana International Press Centre on Sunday [Sept 29, 2024], Mr. Kyerematen expressed shock at the charges of “unlawful assembly” brought against the protesters, arguing that the judicial system has unfairly penalized them by remanding them for two weeks. 

He said the police had allowed the protest to proceed for three days, making the sudden arrests unjustifiable.

"This is not just an issue of protest," Mr. Kyerematen said, "It's about the rights of young people to express their dissatisfaction with a system that has failed them."

The decision to deny bail to the protesters has also drawn sharp criticism from Mr. Kyerematen, who described it as “an abuse of judicial discretion.”

He pointed out that the court's actions not only contravened the principles of justice but also signaled a dangerous trend of silencing dissent. “These young Ghanaians were merely exercising their constitutional right to protest. The judiciary’s refusal to grant bail is not only punitive but a direct affront to democracy,” he added.

Alan Kyerematen called on the Attorney General to drop all charges against the protesters, noting that their actions were in defense of Ghana’s future. He asserted that the protests have spotlighted the incompetence of both major political parties, which have been unable to curb the environmental degradation caused by Galamsey. According to Mr. Kyerematen, the real criminals are those in power who have failed to address illegal mining.

The protest was originally staged to raise awareness about the ongoing destruction of water bodies and forest reserves due to illegal mining activities. The youth behind the movement have argued that both the NPP and NDC governments have ignored the environmental crisis in favor of political expediency. "These youth represent a growing frustration with the status quo," Alan Kyerematen remarked, underscoring the need for a new political direction.

Mr. Kyerematen went further to highlight how his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) presents solutions that can address the root causes of illegal mining. He noted that the plan includes policies aimed at restructuring the mining sector and creating employment opportunities for the youth. "Instead of incarcerating them, we should be empowering our young people," he declared.

Alan Kyerematen’s remarks have reignited the national debate about the role of political leadership in perpetuating the Galamsey menace. According to him, both NPP and NDC governments have for too long ignored the cries of ordinary Ghanaians and allowed illegal mining to flourish under their watch. “The youth see through the failures of these two parties, and that is why they are in the streets,” Mr. Kyerematen said.

With the general election approaching, Alan Kyerematen’s comments are expected to resonate with the disappointed youth, many of whom have become politically disengaged. “These young people are the heroes of our time,” Mr. Kyerematen concluded, pledging to stand by them in their fight for a better future.

At Mr. Kyerematen, leader of the Movement for Change, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape with the announcement of his radical 10-point blueprint to tackle the illegal mining crisis. Alan Kyerematen’s plan starts with a bold proposal to implement a one-year nationwide ban on all small-scale and community mining activities. Whether legal or illegal, mining in any form would come to a complete halt under Mr. Kyerematen’s leadership.

The proposal to impose such a sweeping ban has already sparked heated debate, but Mr. Kyerematen remains undeterred. He argues that Ghana’s environment cannot survive without immediate, drastic action to protect its natural resources. "This is not just about halting illegal mining," Alan Kyerematen stated. "It's about saving our rivers, forests, and communities from further destruction."

In addition to the ban, Mr. Kyerematen has called for the demobilization of all mining machinery across the country. Under his plan, the 48 Engineer’s Regiment would oversee the dismantling and safe storage of equipment to prevent further illegal mining activities. “The time for half-measures is over,” Mr. Kyerematen emphasized. "We need to take real action to stop the destruction of our environment.”

Alan Kyerematen’s plan also includes an ambitious program to restore the country’s degraded lands and polluted river bodies. He proposes a coordinated effort involving local communities, environmental experts, and the military to reclaim the land that has been ravaged by years of illegal mining. Mr. Kyerematen noted that without a restoration program, the environmental damage caused by Galamsey will continue to haunt future generations.

One of the most controversial aspects of Mr. Kyerematen’s plan is the cancellation of all mining licenses issued in the last 15 years. According to him, a thorough audit is needed to clean up the corrupt system that has allowed illegal mining to thrive. "We cannot continue to reward those who have benefited from the destruction of our natural resources," Alan Kyerematen said. “It’s time for accountability.”

The 10-point blueprint also outlines a strategy for enforcing stricter regulations on the mining industry moving forward. Mr. Kyerematen has proposed the establishment of a special task force to oversee the new mining regulations, with the power to shut down operations that violate environmental laws. His vision is for a mining sector that operates responsibly and transparently.

Alan Kyerematen’s plan has resonated with environmental activists, who have long called for stronger measures to protect Ghana’s natural resources. However, his critics argue that the one-year ban on mining could have severe economic consequences for communities that rely on small-scale mining for their livelihoods. In response, Mr. Kyerematen stressed that his blueprint includes provisions for alternative employment programs during the ban period.

Despite the potential challenges, Mr. Kyerematen remains confident that his plan will gain public support. "This is a matter of life and death for our country," he said. "We must take bold action now if we want to preserve our environment for future generations." With this revolutionary plan, Alan Kyerematen has positioned himself as the candidate willing to make the tough decisions needed to end Galamsey once and for all.

Below is a copy of his address at the press conference

PRESS CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY ALAN JOHN KWADWO KYEREMATEN, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE DECEMBER 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS, AT THE GHANA INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTER, ACCRA ON SUNDAY, 29TH SEPT. 2024

Fellow Country Men and Women,

Today, I join many Ghanaians from all over the country, in expressing my utter dismay and condemnation, for the continued incarceration of several young Ghanaians, belonging to the Democracy Hub, who took to the streets a few days ago to express their anger and frustration at the Government’s inability to deal drastically and substantively, with the challenge of illegal mining, otherwise referred to as Galamsey.

The protests have exposed the failure of the current NPP Government and the predecessor Government of the NDC over the last 32 years, to manage the natural resource endowment of our beloved country, in a sustainable way, and to optimize the benefits of these resources for the Ghanaian people.

Admittedly, the acts of some of the protestors in the demonstration under reference, were excessive in form and character, and may have constituted a breach of public peace and order.

But let us all be clear that it is within the constitutional rights of any and every Ghanaian, to express freely their opinions, and to assemble in pursuit of this constitutional right of freedom of expression and movement.

In this regard, it is offensive to proper conduct and practice of criminal prosecution, for the Police and the Attorney General’s Office, to bring charges of “conspiracy to commit crime and committing crime in the nature of unlawful assembly,” when the police was aware that the demonstrations would take place, and did not take judicial steps to stop it.

In any event, it is beyond my wildest imagination to believe, how the Ghana Police Service, could have supervised a demonstration for a continuous period of 3 days, and thereafter, bring charges of “Unlawful Assembly”

Fellow Country Men and Women,

In spite of this development, however, I must say to the credit of the Ghana Police Service, and the contingent of Police Officers who had oversight responsibility for the demonstration, that they acted professionally, and with decency in the management and control of the crowd of protesters, over the three days of the protests. Regrettably, the post-arrest management of the protesters by the Police, has been both unlawful and unprofessional, to the extent of denying those arrested, access to legal counsel, to their family members, and essential medication, food, and water.

Furthermore, the refusal of the Presiding Judges to admit the accused persons to bail, in a criminal case in the nature of a misdemeanor, in my very respectful opinion, is an abuse of judicial discretion, on the firm grounds of constitutional law, human rights, judicial practice, and decided cases.

Fellow Country Men and Women,

Let me reiterate my earlier submission, that the continued detention of the accused young persons, is both unlawful and unconstitutional.

Indeed, it is also a sad reflection of an emerging trend in our body politic in Ghana, of intolerance for dissenting views. Equally concerning, is the culture of fear and sycophancy that is gradually permeating our social fabric. This is particularly troubling, as we approach the General Elections this year, an election, which without doubt, will be a watershed and defining election in the political history of Ghana.

Fellow Country Men and Women,

Let it not be said that our generation stood by unconcerned, as the dark clouds of chaos and anarchy, began to gather in our beloved country.

Fellow Country Men and Women,

Galamsey constitutes an existential threat for Ghana. As you travel the length and breadth of this country, you will be amazed at the extensive destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands. From colonial times through to Independence, and the immediate post-Independence era, Ghanaians have been engaged in small-scale mining in mining communities, without a threat to the environment, land, and river bodies. Regrettably, however, in the last 20-odd years, the ravages of Galamsey and its negative impact on the environment, have been both alarming and incrementally retrogressive.

In my considered opinion, this development is symptomatic of much deeper underlying systemic problems of economic mismanagement, leading to joblessness, over a long period of time. It is also a clear reflection of policy failure and leadership, on the part of both the NPP and the NDC, over the last two decades.

Unfortunately, in the recently published manifestos of the two dominant political parties, they have demonstrated that they neither have the competence, desire, interest, or political will to deal with the problem of Galamsey. Indeed, recent statements by high-level officials of both parties, clearly attest to this observation.

The Movement for Change and the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, which I have the honour and priviledge to lead, on the other hand, has outlined a forward-looking, comprehensive 10-point Policy blueprint, to deal substantively with the challenge of Galamsey, which  I would like to present as follows:

1.    A complete ban for a period of one year, of all small-scale and community mining activities, whether legal or illegal.

2.    Demobilization of all machinery, equipment, including earth moving equipment, and any other form of machinery currently in use, in respect of small-scale and community mining, legal or illegal.

3.    Inventorization, Storage, and Preservation of all demobilized machinery and equipment by the Military, specifically, the 48 Engineer’s Regiment. All such machinery and equipment shall be properly identified in respect of the ownership, location prior to demobilization, and the full description of the state and condition of the said items.

4.    A complete restoration of all river bodies to reduce current turbidity levels, within the period of one year, while the ban is enforced. This exercise will be coordinated by the Water Resources Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant Regulatory Institutions, as well as the Military.

5.    Complete restoration and regeneration of all degraded land sites within the one-year period of the ban. This exercise, will involve plantation development and tree planting on the degraded sites, and will be coordinated by the Forestry Commission and other relevant Public Sector institutions.

6.    The cancellation of all small-scale and community mining licenses issued within the last 15 years. The cancellation will be followed by a comprehensive and complete audit of all small-scale and community mining licenses issued within this period. This audit exercise, will interrogate the following matters:
a.    The issuing Authority of the License.
b.    Conditions associated with the grant of the license, including but not limited to, payment of license fees, compliance with technical performance requirements, etc.

7.    The deployment of all young people previously engaged in Galamsey, to actively participate in the plantation development exercise, on degraded land sites, as a livelihood empowerment initiative, within the period of the ban.

8.    The establishment of a new Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative, under which groups of young people previously engaged in Galamsey, will be supported by the Government to establish youth-owned mining companies as private legal commercial entities. These companies will be provided seed funding to acquire heavy machinery and equipment, and other facilities required to operate a commercially viable mining company, on a work-and-pay basis. These companies will also be provided with working capital at subsidized interest rates. In addition, the government will provide executive management personnel from the Ghana Executive Service Organization, to support the management and operations of these youth-owned mining companies, whilst the young people work as employees of their own companies.

In addition to the above, the new Youth-Owned Mining Companies will be issued new mining licenses and other licenses, to enable them to operate legally, and in an environmentally sustainable manner.

9.    The establishment of a Citizens Mining Protection Rights Group in each mining community, who will act as the watchdogs for responsible mining.

10.    Introduction of new legislation and regulations, that will impose a complete ban on mining in river bodies and forest reserves. The sanctions regime associated with this new legislation and regulations, will include life imprisonment for violation of the provisions of the said legislation and regulations. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Beyond this short-term plan, the Great Transformational Plan of the Movement for Change, offers additional medium-to-long-term strategic interventions, designed to deal with the management of our natural resources.

These interventions include the following:
1.    Undertake a comprehensive review of all legislation and regulations in respect of the mandate, management and operations of institutions in the natural resource sector.

2.    Based on the review exercise, consolidate institutions with overlapping mandates, clarify regulatory functions, and establish a new regime for optimizing benefits from our natural resources.

3.    Review all existing contracts in the natural resource sector, with a view to optimizing benefits to the country and enhancing local content.

4.    Introduce new legislation and regulations, that will significantly reduce the export of raw materials from Ghana in any form, without a minimum of 60% value addition by the year 2030.

5.    Amend article 257(6) of the 1992 Constitution, to establish Traditional Authorities as co-trustees with the President, in respect of all mineral rights in Ghana, and 

6.    Develop the Western Region as the Mineral Resource Processing Hub for West Africa, in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the growth of mineral commodity markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fellow Country Men & Women,

In conclusion, I would like to make a passionate appeal to the learned Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is a fellow Santaclausian and a young man himself, and therefore, should strive to protect the legal rights of young people, without compromising his professional integrity. My appeal to the Attorney General is to file an application for Nolle Prosequi to terminate the criminal case or, at worst, not to oppose an application for bail, or the application for the abridgment of the period, for which the accused persons have been remanded in custody.

To the Young People of Ghana,

I would like you to know, particularly, those who have been arrested, that you are the heroes of our time. You have endured the pain of living through the hardest of times in our country, with no jobs and no hope for the future. Do not be dismayed, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Furthermore, do not be intimidated or be haunted by fear, but be inspired by the challenge of success.

I stand solidly behind you, and will fight with you shoulder to shoulder, not only to deal aggressively with the challenge of Galamsey but, equally importantly, to fight to create a peaceful, prosperous, just, and united Ghana, that will create a better and brighter future for all Ghanaians, particularly you the young people.

Together, we will win, and Ghana will Rise Again.
God Bless our Homeland Ghana, and Make our Nation Great and Strong
I thank you for your kind attention.