The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, says some Members of Parliament may be involved in illegal mining or promote it by their actions.
The Speaker made the comment during a two-day emergency session of Parliament, during which MPs discussed the illicit mining situation as the damage to water bodies worsened.
The MPs discussed the harmful impact of illegal mining as well as successive governments’ failure to stop the canker in its tracks.
Both sides of the house eventually engaged in the typical blame game, accusing each other of contributing to the problem.
MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri and Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, accused the opposition NDC of causing more damage to water bodies through galamsey than the NPP.
“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 on Tuesday.
The Minority NDC strongly condemned the remark, with it’s leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, claiming that the canker has grown worse under the NPP, despite its so-called attempts to combat it.
“If the President has failed to curb illegal mining, he should admit so. And if the Defense Minister has failed in tacking galamsey, he should admit so.
“It is wrong for him to insinuate and create the perception that someone is making a political statement. The issue is very serious; our livelihood is threatened,” he said.
However, the Speaker of Parliament reacted angrily, accusing some MPs of involvement in environmental devastation.
He asked them to take the initiative in the fight against Galamsey.
“Who are those participating in the gala? If we take a census, some of you will be there, and the people you are talking to are aware. It is not that they are not aware. They are aware that some of you are participating in it.”
“So please first desist from doing it yourself. Don’t go to them for your money for your campaigns. Don’t go to solicit their votes. Let them see your work. Truly, it is a disgrace that we’ve gone this far. Look at the water, horrible,” he stated.
