Nana Ayew Afriye, MP for Effiduase/Asokore, accused the NDC of importing foreign nationals to engage in illegal mining, termed galamsey, in an effort to destabilize areas with strong NPP support. He emphasized NPP’s commitment to stopping such activities while allowing legitimate small-scale mining. The fight against illegal mining has intensified amid rising public demand for action.
Nana Ayew Afriye, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effiduase/Asokore in the Ashanti Region, has publicly accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deliberately undermining water bodies across Ghana. He asserts that the NDC is importing foreign nationals from Togo and Burkina Faso for illicit mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey,” particularly in areas that typically exhibit strong support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). During a recent campaign event, which was broadcast on GHOne TV, the MP expressed concerns that the NDC’s actions stem from a fear of possible NPP electoral victories in constituencies impacted by these mining activities. “God has placed us as number one because He wants us to win. The voice of the people is the voice of God. God speaks through us. “And the research that was done as of last week shows that if voting were to happen, NPP would gain 18 more seats. That is why they have risen up in Accra to bring confusion. But no matter what, the elections will happen. “Small-scale mining is different from what the Togolese and Burkinabes that the NDC has imported into the country to mine,” he stated. The NPP legislator assured attendees that the party is taking steps to combat illegal mining, emphasizing a need for actions against foreign operatives allegedly brought in by the NDC, while still supporting legitimate small-scale miners. “But we are going after them. The operation that we started this week, we will make sure that we get such people. They saw that we were winning the seats in the mining areas, so they decided to go and import foreigners to mine on our river bodies. Has water become a problem? “Is it not just this one month? Someone is behind all this just to make us stop the galamseyers and lose our seats, but we will not stop them today or tomorrow. What we will stop is those mining on the river bodies,” he added. Nana Ayew Afriye also issued a warning against opposition attempts to create disarray ahead of the upcoming elections, reaffirming that the NPP remains steadfast in its commitment to curbing illegal mining practices. The fight against galamsey has escalated recently, with citizens increasingly calling on the government to take meaningful action. Multiple organizations, including Democracy Hub, have organized protests demanding an end to illegal mining, which has led to some demonstrators facing legal repercussions for their activities.
The issue of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey in Ghana, has emerged as a contentious topic in the nation’s political arena. Traditionally, small-scale mining has been a significant economic activity, yet it often poses a threat to the environment, particularly water bodies. The NPP and NDC have had ongoing disputes regarding the management and regulation of these mining activities. The NPP currently argues for stricter controls on illegal miners, especially those who operate in river bodies, which has become a focal point for electoral survival given the political implications of mining in strong-party regions. The involvement of foreign operators in this sector has added another layer of complexity to the debate.
In summary, Nana Ayew Afriye’s accusations against the NDC reflect the ongoing tensions regarding illegal mining in Ghana. The NPP’s commitment to combat illegal operations while supporting legitimate miners indicates a political strategy aimed at consolidating support in pro-NPP constituencies. As the elections approach, both parties appear to be navigating the challenges posed by galamsey, highlighting the significant intersection of politics, environmental stewardship, and economic activity in Ghana.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
