The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Akwasi Konadu, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of failing in its fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, describing the situation as worsening and “disastrous.”
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, August 13, Mr. Konadu, who is the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee in Parliament, said the current administration’s approach has shown no tangible progress since taking office.
According to him, the government’s handling of the galamsey menace lacks the political will it promised while in opposition, leaving the country with little hope of reversing the environmental damage.
“It is getting disastrous. There is no hope. There is nothing that is being done that tells me that we would actually want to win the fight against illegal mining,” Mr. Konadu said. “The posturing of that government in opposition and their posture currently in administration tells me that there is no hope.”
He recalled past statements made by NDC members while in opposition, including a claim that any government unable to stop illegal mining within seven days was a “useless government.”
“Sam George told us that. Okudzeto and the rest all said those things. Because you hold the power of the state, and this is their seventh month, so how do I describe them?” he asked.