The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has raised strong concerns in Parliament over what he describes as the persistent and unjustified delay by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, in briefing the House on the government’s efforts against illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh said the Minister’s continued absence contradicts assurances earlier given by the Majority Leader and commitments made during the Business Committee meeting. He noted that the Minister was expected to appear before the House this week, yet no such briefing has taken place.
The MP expressed deep worry over the escalating destruction of the country’s water bodies, emphasizing that the turbidity levels of major rivers such as the Densu and Ankobra continue to deteriorate due to unchecked illegal mining activities. He referred to troubling reports of excavators “mysteriously appearing and disappearing” at galamsey sites, describing the situation as both alarming and unacceptable.
Hon. Annoh-Dompreh urged the leadership of Parliament to ensure that the Minister is rescheduled to appear before the House next week. He stressed the need for not only an update but a detailed, practical, and results-oriented report, rather than what he termed broad or “academic” statements that fail to address the depth of the crisis.
He further called for the development of clear reporting guidelines that would require the Minister to provide specific updates on water quality indicators, environmental reclamation efforts, and overall progress made in the national campaign against illegal mining.
According to him, Parliament has a constitutional oversight responsibility and must insist on accountability and transparency from the executive in the fight against galamsey, which continues to threaten national resources and public health.
