The Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has noted that, the fight against illegal mining otherwise known as ‘galamsey’, should not be left for only the traditional and political authority.
The MP has charged the entire citizenry to get involved in fighting the menace just as his constituents and paramount chief, Nana Akuoku Sarpong, have been supporting him.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi, also a private legal practitioner, was commenting on the viral video with a parliamentary candidate urging his constituents to fight the military in any attempt to stop them from mining, when he made the appeal.
“It is not only the traditional leaders, the whole community must fight it. By the time I leave the scene, there will be no illegal mining in my community. If you like come, tomorrow you’ll leave. Our rivers are clean,” the MP said on the KeyPoints Saturday, June 15, 2024 on TV3.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East, Ernest Frimpong, urged illegal miners locally referred to as ‘galamseyers’ to resist any attempt by the military or any security officer to stop them from doing their work.
Mr. Frimpong says neither the military nor any security operative currently wields the power to stop anyone from engaging in illegal mining.
“We have cancelled Operation Galamstop and the soldiers who have been tormenting you. So, officially, they don’t have any mandate to do that again,” the Amenfi East PC had stated.
He asked his constituents to fight back the officers whenever they make any attempts to intimidate them since they have no such authority anymore.
‘I, Regional Minister and MCE will protect you from soldiers – NPP PC to ‘galamsey’ operators
In a video going viral on social media, the parliamentary candidate, together with the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, and the MCE, is found engaging some galamseyers where Mr. Frimpong told them that nobody can infringe on their right to mine.
He advised the illegal miners to treat soldiers who are on a patrol well, admonishing them to even give them tips if they so wish. However, if there is any that wants to seize their equipment and stop them for the mere fact that he is security officer, they should fight him and he will be there to defend them.
“But if anyone comes and orders you out for the mere purpose that he is a soldier, do not look at the uniform he is wearing, if he hits you, hit him back, fight him and I will come there. Oh yes, we won’t tolerate those things.
“If he came on a patrol, then he is passing by, and that is why we are telling you that we have revoked the authority they had to arrest you. If you are doing illegal and he comes to arrest you, he is also doing illegal so arrest him back,” he admonished.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has since issued a statement to that effect, but did not address it directly to the person in the video, which many have criticised.
Address your message to Amenfi East NPP PC – Security analyst tells Armed Forces
