Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minority Leader, has warned of the devastating impact of widespread illegal mining (galamsey) on Ghana’s environment and economy.
Addressing Parliament in his welcome speech, Dr Forson attributed the crisis to alleged leadership failures and official complicity, alleging that key government figures had allowed illegal mining to continue unchecked.
“…Mr Speaker, the lack of political will by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led NPP government has crippled communities across the nation,” he emphasised.
Dr Forson urged Parliament to take immediate action, stressing that inaction was no longer an option, adding, “This House must rise to the occasion and bring pressure on the government to act,” he declared.
The Minority Leader cautioned that without strong leadership and accountability, Ghana’s natural resources and future generations remained at risk.
“Mr Speaker, we are at a crisis point.
“Leadership failure, official complicity, and lack of political will have brought us here,” he said on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday.
The Fifth Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, reconvened on Tuesday, October 15, at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre pursuant to Order 58 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The Meeting is expected to pass some “non-controversial” Bills, according to Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader.
At a Leaders’ Media Briefing, Mr Afenyo-Markin cited the EPA Bill, the Free SHS Bill and a Constitutional Instrument by the Judiciary to regulate election procedures in the country as some of the Bills to carry through in the Meeting.
