Stop the pretentious act of addressing galamsey issues – Suhuyini goes hard on Akufo-Addo

Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, the Member of Parliament for the Tamale North constituency, has described the ruling government's attempts and responses to addressing the galamsey menace as pretentious.

According to him, the situation has worsened over the years despite the government’s allocation and spending of money, as well as its implementation of initiatives and task forces to combat illegal mining activities.

In a statement released on September 15, 2024, Suhuyini said “it is with great concern that we must address the clueless and sometimes seemingly pretentious response from the government, and particularly the Office of the President, regarding this pressing issue. The persistent pollution of our water bodies and the irreversible destruction of our cherished forest reserves pose significant threats to both our environment and public health.

“Despite numerous promises and money sapping initiatives launched by the government, the situation continue to worsen as no progress has been made to effectively combat the galamsay menace, leaving many communities to bear severe consequences of the illegal mining activities.”

The lawmaker has called on the president to address the state of the country’s environment and outline measures to tackle illegal mining.

Additionally, he has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to prosecute his appointees who have been implicated in previous investigations in the galamsey menace.

“We call upon President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government to, without fail, address the nation on the State of our Environment, outlining the immediate and decisive actions to be taken to address these illegal activities. This should include how to enforce the existing laws more rigorously, conducting thorough investigations especially on several allegations of the complicity of many government officials and party leaders, and holding accountable those already implicated by previous investigations in these destructive practices,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In light of the ongoing crisis surrounding illegal mining activities otherwise known as Galamsay in Ghana, we wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Civil Society Organizations and labour unions that recently have been at the forefront of advocacy, education, and community mobilization.

Their unwavering commitment to protecting our natural resources and advocating for sustainable practices has not only highlighted the urgent need for a collaborative approach to environmental conservation but has also galvanized the needed public awareness on the critical implications of these illegal practices.

However, it is with great concern that we must address the clueless and sometimes seemingly pretentious response from the government, and particularly the office of the President, regarding this pressing issue. The persistent pollution of our water bodies and the irreversible destruction of our cherished forest reserves pose significant threats to both our environment and public health.

Despite numerous promises and money sapping initiatives launched by the government, the situation continue to worsen as no progress has been made to effectively combat the galamsay menace, leaving many communities to bear severe consequences of the illegal mining activities.

The detrimental impacts of galamsay are widespread, affecting not just the environment but also the livelihoods of countless individuals who depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems. We call upon President Nana Akufo Addo and his government to without fail address the nation on the State of our Environment, outlining the immediate and decisive actions to be taken to address these illegal activities. This should include how to enforce the existing laws more rigorously, conducting thorough investigations especially on several allegations of the complicity of many government officials and party leaders, and holding accountable those already implicated by previous investigations in these destructive practices.

Moreover, we assure all concerned Ghanaians of the NDC and President Mahama’s future government commitment to engage constructively with civil society organizations and labour unions to implement comprehensive policies, as crafted in our manifesto, that will address both the economic realities that drive illegal mining and the urgent need for environmental protection. We acknowledge more than ever how essential it is for all stakeholders to work together to find sustainable solutions that preserve our natural resources for future generations.

We commend the efforts of those who have dedicated their time and resources to this crucial fight and reaffirm our solidarity with communities affected by the illegal mining menace. Together, we can advocate for and build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for Ghana.

MAG/AE