Member of Parliament for the Tamale Central Constituency, Murtala Mohammed says the Akufo-Addo-led administration has lost the political will to fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Citing instances of neglect on matters arising on the criminality earlier on GHToday, the lawmaker said the government’s political will to fight the crime is away on sabbatical.
“Remember Erastus Donkor of Joy FM? He went to one galamsey site and found military men protecting these Chinese nationals. What happened to that case? It is a political issue and you need the political will to stop it but unfortunately, that will has taken a sabbatical leave,” he said.
He added: “this argument of the fact that the NPP lost seats in galamsey areas because of the fight against illegal mining is bonkers. How about Greater Accra?”
Meanwhile Deputy Majority whip and member of parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu has decried the politicization of the fight against illegal mining in the country.
“We tend to politicize the galamsey fight and that is where we have a problem. Majority of what we say as politicians is to support our party and condemn another. We cannot win that war with us commenting, viewing and thinking in that direction”, he explained.
He however asserts that there is a need for more commentary on the matter for the government to bring out tough measures against illegal mining in the country.
“If there is any government that has been punished because of its stance of galamsey, it’s the NPP government but we cannot say all is good. The only thing we need to do is to speak up for the government to come out with stricter measures against galamsey”, the deputy majority whip said.
Government’s fight against illegal mining was dealt a heavy blow following the widespread controversy on the arrest of galamsey queen, Aisha Huang and her collaborators.
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo on Monday, September 19, 2022 ruled that Aisha is a flight risk and would not avail herself to stand trial when granted bail and remanded her in custody.
She is to re-appear in court on October 11, 2022.
