Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for its alleged ineffective approach to tackling the illegal mining (galamsey) menace, describing it as a 'full-blown national emergency.'
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement signed by Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Ranking Member of the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, and an NPP Member of Parliament for Mampong, criticized the government for allocating GHS 50 million to combat illegal mining, yet seeing no tangible results. The statement accused the NDC government of failing in its efforts to address the galamsey issue, highlighting the destruction of water bodies, ecosystems, and the poisoning of waters that pose a threat to future generations.
The statement added that the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) had also expressed concerns over the government's inaction, warning that the situation had reached a critical point. UTAG demanded immediate action, including a public denouncement of galamsey, a declaration of a state of emergency, and prosecution of officials involved in illegal mining activities.
Additionally, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has joined the criticism, with its Secretary General allegedly calling out the government's insufficient efforts to tackle illegal mining. The statement further cited instances where government machinery, such as DRIP machines, had been allegedly diverted for illegal mining activities, and accused some officials of being complicit in these activities by issuing permits and protecting syndicates.
