The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has called for decisive action against Members of Parliament and other public figures who exploit the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, for political gain.
His remarks, delivered during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, underscored the urgent need for a unified, non-partisan approach to tackling the deeply entrenched issue of galamsey, which has severe environmental, social, and economic consequences for Ghana.
Nitiwul's appeal to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was both direct and impassioned.
He argued that politicising the fight against galamsey significantly undermines efforts to eradicate the practice.
According to Nitiwul, when political leaders use galamsey as a tool to garner votes or cultivate favour, it hinders the progress that has been made so far. "Is an urgent matter and I think that you [Speaker Alban Bagbin] should lead it personally to ensure that anybody, whether you are a religious person, you are a traditional person, you are a politician, you are a flagbearer or an MP who politicises galamsey operations in this country, this house must take action on that person. "This House should take drastic measures against any individual who politicises galamsey matters. [Action must be taken against any individual] who is promising the youth of Ghana that if you vote for me, I would allow you to do galamsey. "I want this house to take a bipartisan posture against any individual.
In fact, we should invite any individual to this house."