Sydney Casely-Hayford, a prominent Financial Consultant and esteemed member of the pressure group OccupyGhana, has sadly passed away at the age of 69. Known for his unwavering commitment to national issues and his role as a vocal nationalist, Mr. Casely-Hayford breathed his last on Friday, December 1, 2023.
The family of the late financial expert confirmed to Myjoyonline.com that he succumbed to kidney failure at his home in the early hours of the day. Casely-Hayford had valiantly battled the illness for the past eight years, showcasing resilience even as he remained active in the media as a social commentator.
Despite his health challenges, Mr. Casely-Hayford continued to contribute to public discourse, sharing his insights on crucial national matters. His dedication to the betterment of Ghana was evident in his unwavering commitment to addressing issues of national interest.
In recent times, as his health deteriorated, Casely-Hayford took a step back from his active media engagements, but his enduring spirit remained steadfast. Throughout his career, he served as an analyst and columnist for various news portals in Ghana, leaving an indelible mark with numerous articles covering a wide array of subjects.
The passing of Sydney Casely-Hayford leaves a void in both the financial and social commentary spheres in Ghana. His legacy as a passionate nationalist and advocate for positive change will be remembered by those who have been touched by his contributions over the years. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss.
Pressure group, OccupyGhanahas asked President Akufo-Addo to immediately declare a state of emergency in all mining areas in the country.
To them, this will help the President and his government streamline mining activities in the country.
In a press release issued on Monday, it urged President Akufo-Addoto seek advice from the Council of State before publishing a Gazette on same.
“We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana.
The release from OccupyGhana
“In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” the group urged.
Meanwhile, it has also asked Parliament to be recalled from its vacation for it to pass the state of emergency.
“Thereafter we expect Parliament to be recalled from its vacation, for the government to place before it the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration of the state of emergency under article 31(2).
“Considering the gravity of the situation, we fully expect Parliament to agree with the government and provide that the state of emergency should remain for such period as Parliament may determine so that the government can get a grasp of the situation,” the release added.
This call has been supported by the Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil.
According to him, this is the best solution to the matter now.
Pressure Group Occupy Ghanabelieves the main problem with illegal mining in Ghana is the government’s “sheer inability, total unpreparedness, and, or blatant unwillingness to enforce the law.”
Occupy Ghana in an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo said it is dumbstruck at the government’s “absolute impotence, in the face of the brazen destruction of our lands and wanton poisoning of our water bodies.”
As far as it is concerned, the government has no excuse to fail in the fight against the menace.
“Every law required to regulate the mining industry exists. Every government agency required in the police, the courts, and even the military) exists. Every district, municipality, and metropolis to enforce the law (namely the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, in which Galamsey takes place has a fully-paid Chief Executive supported by an Authority and Assembly.”
“What is going on defies reason and only gives support and credence to the popular rumour or belief that the very persons who should be fighting this crime, are rather those involved in and benefit from it.”
It said the President, Nana Akufo-Addo is failing and, betraying the trust reposed in him.
“Sir, can you simply ensure that the law, namely the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear and favour and irrespective of whose ox is gored?”
The pressure group vowed to pressure the President’s neck till he fulfils his promise to stop galamsey.
“We will send a reminder to you every Monday until we see firm action to stamp this crime out. If that fails, we will shame your government by going to court to compel the government to sit up and do its job. That is not a threat, sir; it is a promise,” it added.
Pressure group, Occupy Ghana has petitioned the Right to Information (RTI) Commission to order the Lands Commission to provide details on all public lands that have been released toindividuals.
The group in their petition addressed to the Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission said the move had become necessary because the Lands Commission had frustrated attempts to access the information.
Demands
Among others, the group wants a list of all public lands over which the government’s ownership or control has been relinquished, and the names of the persons to whom those lands have been released; the respective sizes and locations (suburbs, towns/cities and regions) of all such lands; and the conditions of release, whether free, sale, lease or licence.
It also wants to know “If the land has been leased, the amount of rent paid or payable; and Any other amounts paid to or received by the government, if any, for each such transaction”.
Argument
Occupy Ghana argues that the Commission flouted the law when it allegedly returned some public lands to the original owners in compliance with Articles 20(5) and 20 (6).
“It is a notorious fact that some public lands have allegedly been returned to the original owners in a purported compliance with Article 20(5) and (6) of the Constitution, contrary to Supreme Court decisions that those provisions do not apply to lands acquired before the Constitution came into force,” the statement said.
“Further, OccupyGhana’s checks with both the Lands Ministry and Lands Commission have confirmed that contrary to article 258 (2), there is no government policy that authorises these alleged returns of lands to purported original owners. This would raise serious constitutional questions over the propriety of the alleged return of lands, since the Lands Commission, acting alone, has no power to treat the trust property of all Ghanaians in this manner by purporting to return such lands to alleged original owners. This also raises serious constitutional issues as to whether or not the Lands Commission is in breach of its constitutionally imposed fiduciary and accountability duties”.
Delays
The group added that after several frustrations it had resolved that “unless and until compelled by the Right to Information Commission to do so, the Lands Commission will keep coming up with one unsustainable excuse after another”.
It said the most recent excuse, which gave a lot of cause for concern, was the claim that they required the advice of the Attorney-General “on our request in the light of the provisions of the Data Protection Act and the Right to Information Act”.
“It is in the light of the above, that on 2 June 2022, OccupyGhana requested from the Lands Commission, an inventory of all public lands alleged to have been returned to their original owners since the coming into force of the Constitution. We made this request in the exercise of both our right to Information under article 21 of the Constitution and our right to be accounted to as Ghanaians, the ultimate beneficiaries of those lands, under article 36(8).
“Unfortunately, the Lands Commission, while pretending to be gathering that information for us, is using every conceivable trick to frustrate our constitutional rights stated above. The reasons for not giving us the information to date has ranged from a demand that we name an individual with whom the Commission would deal, to asking for time to compile the information from the regions, to asking for a meeting to discuss our concerns.
“We have responded to each of these excuses to show that the Lands Commission has absolutely no legal bases to deny or delay our right to the information we seek. However, at this stage we are concerned that unless and until compelled by the Right to Information Commission to do so, the Lands Commission will keep coming up with one unsustainable excuse after another. This is what compels us to petition your office for an order directed at the Lands Commission to supply to us the information requested”.
OccupyGhana has threatened the Auditor-General with court action if he fails to respond to them on issues on disallowances and surcharges.
According to the group, they have written a series of letters requesting the Auditor-General to furnish them with actions taken “for illegal use of government funds in your 2019 and 2020 Audit reports†but failed to reply to them.
“On 3 February 2022, we wrote to you, in the exercise of our right to information under article 21 of the Constitution, to provide us with information on whether or not you have issued the required disallowances and surcharges. You have ignored that as well.
“If you have issued the disallowances and surcharges demanded, and have not informed us of the action by replying to our earlier letters please do so for the sake of good process and order,†OccupyGhana stated in its letter dated June 6, 2022, addressed to the Auditor General.
The group continued “If, however, you have failed to action our demand to issue the disallowance and surcharges and further failed to provide the information we requested, be informed that we shall commence legal proceedings against you, including filing a petition to the Right To Information (RTI) Commission.â€
