The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has taken a direct swipe at the Akufo-Addo-led government, accusing it of failing to demonstrate the leadership needed to address Ghana’s growing illegal mining menace, commonly referred to as galamsey.
According to Dr. Forson, this lack of political will and government complicity has worsened the environmental crisis, pushing the nation toward what he described as an “environmental genocide.”
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, October 15, Dr. Forson lamented the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s natural resources, particularly water bodies, forests, and farmlands. He warned that the country’s environmental health and the well-being of its citizens are at grave risk if urgent steps are not taken.
“At the heart of this crisis is leadership failure, official complicity, and lack of political will by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. We are literally at war with ourselves, and the destructive effects are both frightening and far-reaching,” Dr. Forson stated.
He pointed to the widespread contamination of water bodies with dangerous chemicals such as mercury, lead, and cyanide, which are recklessly discharged by illegal miners. According to him, these pollutants are already causing serious health issues, particularly in rural communities that depend on rivers for drinking water and agriculture.
“Medical experts have delivered a scary verdict. Babies are being born with various deformities, such as the absence of limbs and eyes, due to exposure to toxic chemicals from polluted water bodies,” he said, painting a dire picture of the future if the galamsey situation remains unchecked.
Dr. Forson did not mince words in attributing the ongoing crisis to the government’s failure to crack down on illegal mining activities. He expressed disappointment in the government’s reluctance to enforce the law, arguing that the lack of action reflects a deeper problem of official complicity.
He also emphasized that the failure to act decisively against galamsey is not only threatening the country’s biodiversity and natural resources but also Ghana’s long-term sustainability and economic future.
“Mr. Speaker, we are at a crisis point. To do nothing is no longer an option. The Akufo-Addo government must rise to the occasion and act now, or the damage could be irreversible,” he warned.
Dr. Forson concluded by calling on Parliament to hold the government accountable and to urge the President and Vice President to take immediate and drastic measures to curb the ongoing destruction caused by galamsey. According to him, it is the duty of the House to protect Ghana’s environment and ensure the survival of future generations.