The Deputy Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Ghana, Naib Ameer II, Alhaji Ahmad Suleman Anderson, has lashed out at politicians for failing to demonstrate the will to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a recent forum, he lamented the destruction of the environment due to the activities of illegal miners and placed the blame on the two dominant political parties: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of prioritising selfish interests over national progress.
“I am not happy about the destruction of the country’s environment as a result of illegal mining. The two major political parties in the country are unable to fight this menace due to lack of cooperation and selfish interests,” he stated,
According to him, opposition parties often make promising statements and proposals to deal with the problem, only to abandon them once they assume office.
Watch as illegal mining destroys Nsuta–Bonsawire rail line
“A typical example of this problem is the galamsey menace we have in Ghana on which the two main political parties stand differently, depending on whether they are in government or in opposition. In opposition, they have beautiful ideas, very beautiful ideas to serve us, but give them the mandate and they lose all those beautiful ideas,” he said.
Alhaji Anderson criticised the political class for what he described as entrenched materialism, which he believes fuels corruption and perpetuates the galamsey crisis.
State of emergency won’t remove illegal mining permanently – Administrator of Stool Lands
“Their selfish interests, the child of which is called materialism, is what is making our country lose the fight against galamsey. Because once again, the two main political parties: the NDC and the NPP, would be trading accusations in public and yet quietly hand over galamsey sites to themselves when political fortunes change,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the government has declared all water bodies and forest reserves as security zones in the latest measure to fight the menace.
JKB/AE
‘She Smokes Wee’: Ex-SHS assistant head speaks on KNUST SHS student in viral video
