The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has accused the government of allowing illegal mining to fester because it is profiting from the destruction of the nation’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He alleged that several government officials and individuals affiliated with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are heavily engaged in galamsey, completely disregarding the environmental consequences of their actions.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio’s As It Is in Ghana, the MP further claimed that the government’s primary interest lies in using gold produced through galamsey to accumulate foreign currency.
He suggested that the administration has effectively legitimised these illegal operations to shore up foreign exchange reserves and stabilise the cedi, ultimately prioritising gold extraction over the safety and preservation of the environment.
“They have turned our system into a ‘galamsey economy’, making money from illegal mining to buy dollars,” he charged. “Things are bad.”
He stated that while in opposition, the NDC accused the previous government of engaging in illegal mining and promised to deal with it; however, after gaining power, they have allowed galamsey to continue through several actions.
“I can boldly declare that all the dollars this government is getting are from galamsey. How can you use galamsey-generated money to manage the economy and boast about it? Can you use a galamsey economy and claim that you’re transforming the country? You’re destroying our better bodies and forest reserves. Today, senior government officials are engaged in galamsey while the government looks on because they want dollars.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
