The flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Frimpomaa Akosua Sarpong Kumankumah has asserted that the pollution of Ghana’s water bodies by illegal miners is a result of institutional failures and not an overnight occurrence.
Her comment follows the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) announcement of severe water supply challenges in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities due to illegal mining activities in the Pra River.
The company explained in a release that water sources have been polluted beyond reasoning limits, affecting processing and distribution for domestic and industrial use.
According to the CPP flagbearer, the galamsey crisis is neither sudden nor complex but stems from the actions of ordinary Ghanaians seeking livelihoods.
“They wanted to make sure they could take care of themselves and their families. They have not erred, but the institutions have. All these problems are due to the institutions.
“If you do not have proper institutions working, and there is this level of corruption, that’s where I talk about governance. Government, according to Abraham Lincoln, is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.”
According to him, the situation has only worsened despite the president’s pledge to put his job on the line in the fight against galamsey.
“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.
He added that in any civilized democracy, President Akufo-Addo would have resigned after failing to fulfil such a promise.
“He would have bowed out and said, ‘I have no honour because my pledge to fight galamsey has fallen flat.’”
The Tamale South legislator further criticised the president and his ministers for praising themselves despite failing to deliver on the promise to combat galamsey.
He stressed the need to hold leaders accountable for their public pledges, particularly when it comes to safeguarding the environment and the livelihoods of affected communities.