Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has emphasized the need for Ghanaians, particularly politicians to stand united in the fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey and its effects.
The Effutu MP’s remarks were in response to the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s claim that, the government lacks the political will to combat the galamsey menace, warning that Ghana is facing a crisis.
Mr Afenyo-Markin stated that the menace cannot be blamed solely on the Akufo-Addo administration.
He explained that, the devastating effects of illegal mining is a national concern and the government is committed to bringing this activity to a halt .
The Majority leader emphasised that government is putting measures in place to assist farmers and women whose farmlands and other resources have been affected by galamsey.
He urged his members to be measured in their utterances as they embark on their campaigns.
“We cannot, as a political class blame game on galamsey and say a particular political party – in this case, the Akufo-Addo administration has failed in its fight against galamsey and leave out what happened preceding the administration of Akufo-Addo,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin cited an example in 2015, during the erstwhile Mahama administration, when then Finance Minister, Seth Terkper appeared before Parliament’s Finance Committee and warned about the negative impact of galamsey on the cocoa sector.
“He [Terkper] highlighted how galamsey was destroying cocoa farms, and farmers were cutting down their cocoa trees to engage in illegal mining activities,” he recalled.
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