The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda and former Deputy Minister of Health, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has criticised the government’s approach to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, accusing officials of defending individuals allegedly involved in the destructive activity while pursuing legal action against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.
In a social media post, the legislator expressed concern over what he described as the continued destruction of the environment under the administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“I cannot think about how galamsey is devastating our ecology in this NDC era and government officials defend instances where there is clear evidence of government officials’ involvement, but they have the audacity to prosecute Chairman Wontumi. Tomorrow is indeed pregnant,” he wrote.
His comments come amid renewed national debate over illegal mining and its impact on forest reserves, water bodies and farmlands.
The NDC made the fight against illegal mining a key campaign issue during the 2024 general elections.
While in opposition, President John Dramani Mahama campaigned extensively on the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
He pledged to wage a “ruthless war” against illegal mining, promising to halt the issuance of new mining leases in forest reserves and impose stricter sanctions on those responsible for polluting water bodies.
Mahama frequently criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its handling of the crisis, accusing the previous administration of failing to effectively address the menace and allowing some officials to be complicit in the destruction of the environment.
However, a section of the public argues that the current administration has not done enough to combat the problem since assuming office.
Environmental advocates and civil society organisations have repeatedly warned that galamsey continues to pose a serious threat to Ghana’s natural resources despite efforts by successive governments to address the challenge.
The Akyem Oda lawmaker suggested that there appears to be a double standard in the government’s response to allegations involving politically exposed persons.
According to him, while reports and allegations of the involvement of some public officials in illegal mining activities continue to emerge, the authorities have been swift in pursuing legal action against political opponents.
Although he did not provide specific details of the cases he was referring to, his remarks are likely to fuel the ongoing political debate surrounding efforts to combat illegal mining and ensure accountability.
His reference to Chairman Wontumi comes against the backdrop of recent legal and investigative actions involving the influential NPP figure, developments that have generated significant political debate between the governing NDC and the opposition NPP.
Illegal mining remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the country, with concerns mounting over the pollution of major rivers, the destruction of forest reserves and the loss of arable land.
The issue continues to be a major source of political disagreement, with both the government and opposition parties frequently accusing each other of failing to adequately address the problem.
The latest comments by the Akyem Oda MP are likely to intensify discussions over the government’s commitment to tackling galamsey and whether the anti-illegal mining campaign is being applied fairly and consistently across the political divide.
By 1960news.com
