Galamsey: Admit you've failed as Defence Minister – Ato Forson goes after Dominic Nitiwul

The Minority leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has descended on the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul over the destruction being caused by illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey.

Speaking at an emergency parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, September 3, the Minority Leader bemoaned how the activities of illegal mining have destroyed many water bodies in the country.

Arguing that galamsey has become a national security issue, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said Dominic Nitiwul as Minister of Defence should admit that he has failed.

“Today the topical issues in our country relate to how our water bodies have been destroyed and to the extent that we are threatened in a way that if care is not taken we will not be able to get water. This is a result of galamsey and he is the Minister of Defence. The president of the state is President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo so if the president has failed he should admit so and if he has failed as a Minister of Defence in tackling galamsey, he should also admit so,” Dr. Ato Forson said.

The Minority Leader continued, “You are the Minister of Defence. If you can tell us that you cannot deploy the military to stop galamsey but you can deploy the military to stop the exportation of maize and so we should clap for you. Our livelihood is threatened and we cannot allow this to pass just like that.”

In his submission, the Minority Leader stated that when Parliament resumes sitting in October, he will bring up the damages galamsey is causing in the country for discussion in the House.

He insists that government must sit up and deal with galamsey to safeguard the lives of Ghanaians.