Politicians, Chiefs making govt’s galamsey fight difficult - Former MP alleges

Former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Edward Enin has alleged that Politicians and chiefs are thwarting government’s effort to fighting galamsey.

According to him, with the level of corruption going on in the galamsey business, it will be difficult for government to win the fight against illegal mining.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ programme, he explained that those involved in the fight against galamsey have become corrupt such that they are being bribed with huge sums of money by the galamsey operators.

“You see, you will need people with honesty and integrity who are willing to help fight galamsey.

“Until these things are done, Politicians, MMDCE’s security officers will make the fight against galamsey difficult,” he said.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his decision to wage war on illegal mining, known as galamsey, is one he does not regret and is prepared to see through till the end.

He said he is fortified by the positive response from the many Ghanaians who believe that the move is right and until the desired results are achieved, there is no giving up.

The President noted that Ghana’s mineral wealth is an important attribute of the nation and mining has been ongoing since the 15th Century, but “until our time, that wealth has been exploited, but it did not prejudice the safety of our environment."

“In our time, it has come to prejudice the safety of our environment. Our water bodies have been polluted, forests have been decimated because of this mad rush for gold.

“And I was told that doing something about it will cost me my political career, but well, that is a choice that we have to make always in life. Whether you are going to pander to the whims of the moment or do the things that you think right.”