Alhassan Suhuyini, the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee of Parliament, has expressed skepticism about the government’s ability to effectively combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey. This comes after active mining activities were spotted on the main Kumasi-Accra highway, polluting the Owere River, which supplies water to communities in Konongo and surrounding areas.
Environmental Protection Agency and Minerals Commission officials claimed they were only informed about a dredging exercise by the Asante Akim Central Assembly, but were unaware of the mining activities. Suhuyini stated that the seeming involvement of government officials in the illegal mining menace dwindles hope in its fight.
He attributed the persistence of galamsey to the involvement of government officials, citing the lack of proper scrutiny and supervision in community mining initiatives. Suhuyini alleged that these initiatives are often used to provide jobs for party affiliates without adequate training or oversight, leading to environmental destruction.
He questioned the assembly’s claim that they were only informed about a dredging exercise, suggesting that they may have intentionally misled the public. Suhuyini emphasized that community mining initiatives are often misused to provide jobs for party loyalists without proper supervision, leading to environmental damage.
He cited examples of similar situations in the Upper East, Savannah region, and Bole-Bamboi areas, where people are given land allocations due to their affiliation with the New Patriotic Party without proper training or oversight. Suhuyini concluded that the government has essentially given up on the fight against galamsey, as their efforts have been exposed as a facade.
