Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, Mr. Mutawakilu argued that declaring a state of emergency would not provide a lasting solution to the menace, which continues to threaten the country’s environment and water bodies.

He instead called for more sustainable and pragmatic measures to address the problem.

Reacting to the remarks on Accra-based Channel One TV, Mr. Sukparu said the Mahama-led government had already shown strong commitment in dealing with the galamsey menace, making a state of emergency unnecessary.

“So far, how this government has handled this issue [galamsey], I think that there’s no need for us to declare a state of emergency on the issue of galamsey. Because you have seen that the President has shown commitment to fighting this galamsey, and so far, we’re seeing results,” he said.

Mr. Sukparu added that before President Mahama assumed office, many forest reserves had been overtaken by illegal miners.

“Before he [President John Dramani Mahama] took office, we were told that several forest reserves were taken over by illegal miners.

“Per the current report we have, the government has taken over these forests. Several other initiatives have been put in place, including cancellation of some licences,” he said.

Source: Adomonline

Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr. Sukparu’s comments followed the NPP’s submission of a petition to IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, after the alleged attack on the party’s Third Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, during the Akwatia by-election.

While condemning the incident, the Deputy Minister argued that the NPP is “the least qualified” to demand action, citing the party’s own history of political violence.

“Yesterday, I saw the petition by the NPP to the IGP. It is good to do that, but when issues of assault happened while they were in power, they were silent. Today, something happens to them, and now they are crying for people to come to their aid,” he said.

Mr. Sukparu further accused the NPP of hypocrisy, recalling past instances when opposition members and even judges were allegedly attacked under the party’s administration.

“When your house is on fire, I should be the first person to help you quench that fire. I must not sit and say it is not my house, so I do not care. Yesterday, they didn’t care—they were assaulting members of the NDC and even judges who seemed not to align with them.

“Today, it is about them; they are crying. This is the hypocrisy I am talking about. Inasmuch as I condemn the attack by Chief Sofo and his associates, I think that this petition should not come from the NPP. They do not have the moral right to petition the police in this country over election matters,” he added.

Source: Adomonline

Ms. Bright made the call after Mr. Sukparu’s vetting, emphasising the critical need for competence in such an essential sector.

During the parliamentary vetting of Mohammed Adams Sukparu for the role of Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, a seemingly simple question sparked visible surprise among members of the Appointments Committee.

Committee member and New Patriotic Party MP, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, asked Mr Sukparu to define “coding”, a question that drew notable reactions from Shaib and his colleagues.

The programme is central to the ministry’s agenda of digital transformation, aiming to equip one million Ghanaian youth with coding and digital skills and positioning coding as a driver of governance effectiveness and economic growth.

“Coding is providing training for young men and women in the IT space,” Sukparu answered confidently.

“Training them in web design, training them in how to build software, and what have you. Basically, this is what coding is, Mr Chairman.”

The visible surprise on committee members’ faces and Shaib’s gentle correction—”You should understand coding some more, but I wish you well”—captured a moment that transcends one individual’s knowledge gap.

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Monday, July 28, Ms Bright expressed her profound disappointment with Mr Sukparu’s response.

“I am truly shocked. This is someone about to become a Deputy Minister of State — a pivotal role in a sector crucial to our national development, particularly as we look toward the future,” she stated.

She further emphasised the significance of the ministry’s evolving mandate: “The NDC manifesto is very clear on the direction for this sector, to the extent that the ministry has even been renamed. This Ministry is set to lead innovation and development in areas like artificial intelligence and digital skills, including training one million Ghanaians in coding.”

Ms Bright described the failure to define coding as “very basic” and insisted, “The Deputy Minister-designate needs to go and do his homework. I am worried because he will be supporting Sam George, who is very competent and has done well so far. I don’t know whether the minister is going to operate with one hand behind his back.

She stressed the importance of having qualified individuals in such critical roles: “Competence is important; we simply cannot afford to have unqualified people in positions that directly affect national development. Nation-building is vital, and the Deputy Minister must fully engage with the Ministry’s programmes.”

Myjoyonline.com

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