Parliament Accused Of Failing Ghana In Galamsey Attack – ACEPA
ACEPA has accused the ninth parliament of its weak fight against Galamsey.
Hilda Appiah
The African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has taken a swipe at Ghana’s Ninth Parliament, accusing it of showing weak commitment in tackling the menace of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
According to ACEPA, Parliament has failed to give the issue the level of urgency and sustained attention it deserves, despite the severe destruction of water bodies, farmlands and forest reserves across the country. The policy think tank argues that galamsey should have remained a constant subject of debate and legislative action, given its far-reaching environmental and social consequences.
Executive Director of ACEPA, Dr Rasheed Draman, expressed disappointment that Parliament has not effectively used its oversight role to push stronger measures against illegal mining. He noted that the lack of rigorous scrutiny of government policies and interventions on galamsey reflects a broader failure to hold the executive to account.
Dr Draman further described, as worrying, allegations that some Members of Parliament may be connected to illegal mining activities, stressing that such claims, if left unaddressed, undermine public confidence in the legislature.
ACEPA maintains that Parliament’s limited engagement with the galamsey crisis represents a major shortcoming in its overall performance, especially on an issue that continues to threaten livelihoods, public health and national development.
