The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the resignation of President Akufo-Addo over his failure to effectively combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Iddrisu recalled the President’s 2017 pledge to put his job on the line in the fight against galamsey. Haruna notes that the situation has only worsened.
“We heard President Akufo-Addo put his job on the line in 2017. What has he done since he failed to combat illegal mining?” Mr. Iddrisu questioned.
President Akufo-Addo Haruna Iddrisu
He subsequently added that in any civilized democracy, the President would have resigned after failing to fulfill such a critical promise.
“He would have bowed out and said, ‘I have no honour, because my pledge to fight galamsey has fallen flat.’”
Mr. Iddrisu criticised President Akufo-Addo and his ministers for praising themselves despite their failure to deliver on the promise to eradicate galamsey.
He emphasised the need to hold leaders accountable for their public pledges, particularly when it comes to safeguarding the environment and the livelihoods of affected communities.
Nonetheless, the law maker was skeptical about the current political leadership’s ability to tackle the galamsey issue effectively.
“I certainly do not trust the current political leadership that they can do better about galamsey,” he stated.
Conversations on galamsey and its dire impact arose after the management of Ghana Water Company Limited in the Central Region announced that there would be challenges with water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities.
The company revealed that the recent demand-supply gap is due to inadequate raw water received at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) caused by galamsey activities.
Environmental groups, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens have since 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. Source: Ama Cromwell
