- Frank Annoh Dompreh claims the NDC is responsible for more environmental harm
- Despite security measures, illegal mining persists
- The recent death of twins in an abandoned galamsey pit highlights the ongoing dangers
The contentious issue of illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, has sparked fresh debates in Parliament, leading to fierce exchanges between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In an emergency parliamentary session, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh claimed that the NDC had inflicted more environmental harm through galamsey activities compared to the NPP.
“An examination of both parties’ records will reveal that the NDC has polluted the water sources more extensively than we have. It’s crucial to clarify this,” Dompreh stated on Tuesday.
His comments were met with strong rebuttals from NDC members, who accused the NPP of ineffectively tackling the galamsey crisis.
Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson contended that despite deploying security forces, illegal mining continues unchecked under the current administration.
“If the President has failed to stop illegal mining, he should acknowledge it. Similarly, if the Defence Minister has not succeeded in addressing galamsey, that should be admitted,” Forson said.
“This attempt to shift blame and frame the issue as a political dispute is unacceptable. The situation is dire, and our livelihoods are at risk,” he added.
This debate follows a tragic incident where two-and-a-half-year-old twins drowned in an abandoned galamsey pit in Morkwaa, a farming community near Twifo Praso in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region. This marks the eighth fatality linked to uncovered galamsey pits in the area this year, according to local residents.
Environmentalists, civil society groups, and concerned citizens have expressed frustration over the insufficient progress in addressing galamsey, which has led to polluted rivers, damaged farmland, and threatened many Ghanaians’ livelihoods.
While the NPP has reiterated its commitment to combating illegal mining, the NDC has called for more transparent and effective measures to resolve the issue.
