Patriot Ghana, a group affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has slammed the Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore and Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, for stating unequivocally that the government has no intention of banning illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, either today or in the foreseeable future.
Executive Director of the group, Kwesi Korang, opined that the comments by the MP, who is his friend, are reckless and unfortunate.
The MP speaking at the Bawumia Volunteers 2024 (B24) launch in Kumasi announced that the NPP government is aware of the potential political ramifications of a ban on illegal mining, particularly regarding its support in mining constituencies.
He also accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of bringing in foreigners to come and mine in or water bodies and forests to paint the government a bad name with the expectation that the military would be sent after them.
But Mr. Korang expressed shock at the comments, indicating that the MP has proven to know the people behind this criminal action; hence, he must be responsible to name them and have them arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Korang said the galamsey menace is a national crisis that must be addressed in a nationalistic manner without any political colouration.
‘’What is happening shows our leaders lack the political will and desire to protect our water bodies and environment from illegal mining activities. If we have such leaders, then the country is heading towards destruction. What has really caused the problem is the NPP and NDC. People are defending evil because of party interests. What the MP said is irresponsible. If you claim that there were people who brought in the foreigners, then you know who they are. We were in this country when the president put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey. But you will agree that the president has failed woefully in fighting galamsey. So if, as an MP, you have an opportunity to comment on the matter and have a president who put his presidency on the line and has such information about foreigners brought in to destroy our water bodies, what prevents you from telling the president to take action?’’
Kwesi Korang went on to say that one of Akufo-Addo’s major failures, which has sparked national interest, is the galamsey, and labour has threatened to strike if the president does not address the crisis.
He told the host Kwabena Agyapong that ‘’I was sad after hearing what the MP said. I was disappointed, and my appeal is that the NPP must dissociate itself from the comments made. The crisis is affecting the party and the government. Our votes are being affected, and so if, as an MP, you will make such unfortunate comments, then that was unfortunate.
He added that the president is not prepared or willing to fight galamsey because he has received several reports of the involvement of his relatives, friends, cronies, and party members engaging in the illegal mining activities.
‘’So if after all this evidence and the MP has come out to also make these comments, then it shows that the President is unprepared to deal with the galamsey. If the NPP is really serious about winning political power again, it must immediately condemn the MP for his comments, or we will regret it. The issue of galamsey is a national crisis, and yet when you speak about it, people attack you for criticising the party. But I was first a Ghanaian before I became a member of the NPP.’’
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
