The fight against illegal mining: Annoh Dompreh’s day of shame

One of the most severe environmental consequences of illegal mining is mercury poisoning. Small-scale gold mining is the second-largest source of mercury pollution globally, behind the burning of fossil fuels, alone accounting for around a third of total mercury pollution.

In this country illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey” has become a significant and pervasive issue, posing substantial challenges to the country's economy, environment, and social fabric (Obeng et al., 2019; Yiridomoh, 2021). Those engaged in these small-scale mining activities, often do without proper permits, in violation of mining regulations and environmental laws (Ghana Chamber of Mines, 2019). Their activities have caused a lot of damage to the society, environment and the economy.

Honestly speaking, galamsey is not a new phenomenon, and cannot be entirely blamed on the current Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, however, the phenomenon has being intensified under the current government with new dimensions, in fact, they have “upgraded” it. Under this administration, key government appointees and party executives are alleged to be deeply involved in the act, this has never happened under any previous administration.

The issue has once again generated public discourse because the current government has worsened the situation due to the involvement of key government appointees in the act, it has also ignited intense debate in the Parliament, leading to heated exchanges between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Whiles Ghanaians were expecting to hear something reasonable and some sort of assurance from the government side of the house, it was shocking to hear the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, asserted that the opposition NDC had caused more environmental damage through galamsey activities than the NPP. This is the most shocking, unintelligent, reckless and irresponsible statement ever made by any politician on the issue of illegal mining. The MP must be ashamed of himself for such senseless equalisation of demonic act.

“If we are to look and investigate both sides of the House (NPP and NDC), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So let’s get matters straight,” he said. If this is the response we are getting on this issue from those in power, then no wonder this country is in the current state.

How on earth would a sitting Member of Parliament made such a comment after failing to address a major problem puzzles my mind. No wonder, his irresponsible remarks drew sharp criticism from NDC members of the house, who rightly accused the MP and his NPP government of failing to address the galamsey menace effectively.

The levels of deforestation, land degradation, destruction of water bodies and general environmental pollutions we are currently encumbered with under this government are unprecedented. It is for this reason that, I find it unbelievable to hear the minority chief whip make such an irresponsible and baseless comment. To say I’m disappointed in him is word undervalued.

The fact of the matter is that, despite vowing to put his presidency on the line as far as galamsey is concerned, President Akufo-Addo has actually upgraded the act which was hitherto being perpetrated by unemployed youths to “state sponsored illegal mining” largely sponsored by ministers MPs, MCEs, DCEs and NPP party executives. For the first time in the history of this country, a sitting president is alleged to be a key beneficiary of the activities of illegal mining, no wonder there is little or no political will to address the menace, beyond the usual rhetoric.

Hon. Annor Dompreh should be aware that, comparing the environmental pollution of previous regimes to the current regime will not address the issue, realistically speaking, the situation is ten times worse today than it was in 2016. He should also know that, the regional chairman of his party's strong hold Mr. Benard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) is alleged to be on of the biggest perpetrators of illegal mining in this country.

It is not surprising that, environmental groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens have voiced their frustrations over the lack of significant progress in curbing galamsey activities, which have resulted in the contamination of rivers, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods for many Ghanaians, because this level of destruction has never seen in this country before.