MP for Amenfi West Constituency in the Western Region, Hon Eric Afful has lambasted the Akufo-Addo led administration for allowing galamsey activities to devastate the environment as well as the involvement of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly called Wontumi for engaging in illegal mining with dire impact on virgin forest in the Ashanti region.
The MP who according to media reports escaped assassination attempt in September in his constituency over Galamsey Operations said President Nana Addo has wilfully failed the nation when it comes to the fight against the Galamsey Menace.
Mr. Afful made the statement during an interview on the breakfast show on Ahotor fm (92.3) on Tuesday.
He explained that the fight against illegal mining activities in the country has assumed unstoppable magnitude and stated that, the government has lost touch on the fight due to lack of political will by the central government after spending unaccountable of money in the course to end the manace in the past 6 years of the NPP government.
He revealed to Citizen Kofi Owusu that ” The Government have failed to regulate small scale mining in this country”
The NDC lawmaker for the Amenfi West Constituency further said the NPP government has paid lips service to measures rolled out to curb the fight and the involvement of Chairman Wontumi in the mining activities have expose government ill intent of fighting Galamsey.
The MP noted that he does not see government preparedness and commitment towards the fight against illegal mining activities due to the posturing of persons who have been designated to lead the charge on eradicating Galamsey from the country and to safeguard the forests and water bodies across the nation.
The Ghana Mediacal Association recently issued a statement to the lands and Natural resources minister Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor to expedite moves to reduce the havoc that have been caused as a result of engaging in illegal mining activities in the country by recalcitrant people as well as persons close to the corridors of power. They explained through media publications that almost all resources of safe drinking water have been polluted by the harmful effects of dangerous chemicals used by illegal miners in their quest to do Galamsey Operations in deep forest and regualted water bodies despite strict sanctions available by both local authorities and the Presidency.
The MP stressed on the need for government to open up Galamsey discussions to allow stakeholders to brainstorm and possible review existing laws on the fight against the Galamsey Menace in the country.
Story by: Nana Dogbe/ AhotorOnline.com
