Galamsey: It is Shocking and Most Regrettable to Make Such a Comparison – GBA Scolds Annoh Dompreh | Parliament

NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri and majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has received several backlashes from sections of the public including Civil Society groups.

The latest to join in the backlash is the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), who have described the comment made by the majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, asserting that the NDC has destroyed more river bodies than the NPP as shocking.

According to the Ghana Bar Association, statements of that nature sets a bad precedence for combating the menace of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey.

Ghana’s water bodies as well as forest reserves have been severely threatened by activities of illegal mining.

The galamsey activities, which has destroyed aquatic lives, poisoned some rivers as well as caused the evacuation of animals in the forest reserves, had erupted a fierce debate in Parliament during an emergency meeting on the floor of parliament.

During an emergency parliamentary sitting on September 3, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, alleged that an investigation would reveal that the NDC caused more water pollution during their tenure.

The GBA described the comments as irresponsible and called for more national attention to crack down on illegal mining activities.

However, the President of GBA, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, speaking at the GBA’s 2024/2025 annual general conference, condemned the comment, stating, “It was quite shocking and most regrettable when a member of the leadership of parliament on the floor of parliament stated that the minority party during this period in government polluted the waters of Ghana more than the ruling party.”

“Such an irresponsible statement by a member of parliament is symptomatic of the malaise affecting our dear nation. Every issue must be reduced to partisan point-scoring by a parallel nation’s police drive.”

The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, urged the government to intensify its fight against illegal mining, by targeting the powerful individuals allegedly fueling the illicit activity.

“The anecdotal evidence that galamsey is controlled by a powerful interest in Ghana cannot be ignored. The state must be honest and deal with the real powers behind this menace,” he stated.