The Ghana Bar Association has condemned the recent comments made by Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh regarding the pollution of water bodies by illegal miners.
During an emergency parliamentary sitting, Mr Annoh-Dompreh claimed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had caused more environmental damage through illegal mining (galamsey) activities than the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The GBA President, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, strongly criticized Annoh-Dompreh’s comments, describing them as “irresponsible” and symptomatic of the partisan divide affecting the nation.
Mr Boafo emphasized that every issue should be tackled with a sense of national responsibility, rather than being used as a tool for scoring political points.
The GBA President urged all stakeholders to come together to address the issue of illegal mining, which has been causing significant damage to Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He called for a unified national effort to combat the menace, rather than politicizing the crisis.
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The GBA’s condemnation is an indication that such irresponsible comments will not be tolerated and that the association will continue to advocate for responsible and patriotic leadership.
Illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, has been a major issue in Ghana, with recent reports by the media indicating that the practice has led to the destruction of several rivers, including River Ankobra, River Bia, River Pra, and River Tano.
The government has taken several steps to eradicate illegal mining, but the problem persists due to the high demand for gold and other precious minerals.
Recently, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) announced severe water supply challenges in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities due to galamsey activities in the Pra River.
In a statement, GWL explained that water sources have been polluted beyond reasoning limits, affecting processing and distribution for domestic and industrial use.