Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has launched a scathing attack on the government over its handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, describing the continued destruction of the country’s water bodies, forests and livelihoods as a national crisis.
According to the NPP lawmaker, the galamsey menace has gone beyond political rhetoric and now poses a direct threat to the survival and wellbeing of communities across the country.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh made the remarks on Saturday, after casting his ballot in the NPP Eastern Regional Executives elections at Asamankese.
He also spoke to journalists about the party’s ongoing reorganisation and the issues likely to shape its political agenda, ahead of the next elections.
He said the scale of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining was too serious to be reduced to a campaign slogan, citing the degradation of water bodies, forests, flora and fauna as evidence of what he described as a worsening national emergency.
“For me, it’s a matter of life and death,” Mr Annoh-Dompreh said, stressing that the galamsey crisis was fundamentally about livelihoods and the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources.
He expressed particular concern about the Birim River, one of the major water bodies in the Eastern Region, warning that increasing levels of turbidity posed a serious threat.
The MP also linked the environmental destruction associated with illegal mining to broader climate and environmental concerns, including changing rainfall patterns and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources.
‘Galamsey Eating Deep Into Accra-Kumasi Highway’
Mr Annoh-Dompreh further raised concerns about what he described as the expansion of illegal mining activities towards the Accra-Kumasi highway. He said the development was unprecedented and questioned why illegal miners appeared to be operating with what he described as impunity.
According to him, the continued degradation of the environment raises serious questions about the effectiveness of environmental governance and the government’s ability to protect critical national assets.
His comments come amid longstanding concerns over the impact of illegal mining on rivers, forests, farmlands and communities across the country.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh also criticised President John Dramani Mahama over the government’s handling of the galamsey crisis.
He said the NPP had expected the current administration to adopt a different approach to illegal mining, particularly given President Mahama’s previous experience in public service.
He described the situation as disappointing, especially for Ghanaians who voted for a change in government with expectations of improved governance and stronger action to protect the environment.
The NPP legislator said the government would have to answer questions about the continued activities of illegal miners and the damage being inflicted on the country’s natural resources.
‘Galamsey Will Be Part of NPP’s Campaign Message’
While acknowledging that galamsey would feature prominently in the NPP’s future campaign messaging, Mr Annoh-Dompreh insisted that the party would not manufacture issues in a boardroom simply for electoral gain.
He said the party’s campaign agenda would instead be shaped by the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians.
According to him, environmental degradation, the cost of living, governance and corruption would naturally become part of the political conversation because they directly affect citizens.
“Campaign messages will come from the people,” he said, stressing that the NPP would focus on issues that resonate with the electorate.
The MP’s comments came as the NPP continues efforts to reorganise and rebuild its structures following its defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh acknowledged that the party faced significant challenges in several constituencies, including areas traditionally regarded as its strongholds.
He said the NPP had recognised those weaknesses and was working to address them through engagements involving the parliamentary group, regional structures and grassroots supporters.
He described the parliamentary group as a critical component of the party’s rebuilding process and expressed hope that the newly elected regional executives would work closely with MPs to strengthen the party’s advocacy and electoral machinery.
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The post Galamseyers Are Operating With Impunity Under Mahama –Annoh-Dompreh appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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