Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged the government to take decisive measures in addressing the illegal mining menace that is plunging Ghana’s environment into crisis.
He has warned that the situation will become dire if concrete steps are not taken to tackle the scourge, also known as ‘galamsey’, head-on.
The Effutu constituency lawmaker in the Central region, addressing fellow MPs on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, decried the alarming turbidity levels of Ghana’s waters, attributing this deterioration to the ongoing galamsey activities.
Afenyo-Markin expressed concern over the devastating impact of these unlawful mining operations on the country’s natural resources, stressing the urgent need for robust governmental intervention to curb this menace and restore Ghana’s environmental integrity.
According to Afenyo-Markin, Ghana’s once fertile lands have been ravaged by the hazardous chemicals used by these illegal miners in their quest to extract gold, prompting him to caution the government to institute drastic measures to rectify the situation and mitigate further environmental degradation.
The Minority Leader underscored the imperative of halting the destructive practices associated with galamsey, emphasising that prompt and effective governmental action is crucial to salvaging the country’s compromised ecosystems and preserving its natural heritage for future generations.
“Speaker, our rivers run brown with pollution, vast tracts of once fertile land lie scarred and toxic, and many of our citizens in mining communities face illness and danger from poisonous chemicals. We have talked about illegal mining for years, yet the problem has only grown worse. Time for mere talk is over,” he said.
He appealed for “visionary and coordinated action” to safeguard Ghana’s environment and ensure a viable legacy for future generations.
The parliamentarian urged the government, Parliament, and local authorities to forge a collaborative effort to mitigate the environmental degradation inflicted by illegal mining operations.
Drawing reference to a 2010 exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which highlighted the damning effects of galamsey on Ghana’s ecological balance, Afenyo-Markin reiterated the need for the government to treat the galamsey menace with utmost seriousness, taking cognizance of its far-reaching consequences on the country’s natural resources and overall environmental well-being.
