Elvis Afriyie Ankrah Assures NDC Will Take Strong Stance Against Galamsey

A key member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto Committee, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has pledged that the NDC will not tolerate illegal mining (galamsey) activities under its administration, emphasizing the party’s commitment to safeguarding the environment.

Speaking on Nhyira FM, the former Minister for Youth and Sports assured Ghanaians that the NDC is focused on protecting forests and water bodies, which have been severely affected by illegal mining under the current government.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah warned party members against engaging in galamsey, stressing that any NDC member found involved would be investigated and prosecuted. He called for a one-year suspension of all galamsey operations to allow the environment, particularly water bodies and forest reserves, to recover from the extensive damage caused over recent years.

“We need to suspend all galamsey activities for at least one year to give our water bodies and forest reserves breathing space to recover. I investigated the GYEEDA Scandal with an independent body, and I can promise that any member of my party who engages in galamsey will be investigated and prosecuted,” he stated.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah criticized the current government’s handling of illegal mining, alleging that its failure to combat the menace is part of a larger scheme to destroy Ghana’s forests. He referenced reports, such as that of Professor Frimpong Boateng, which he claims were ignored by the government despite revealing the involvement of government appointees in illegal mining activities.

“Nana Addo’s government over the past eight years has failed to sufficiently combat this galamsey menace because it is a deliberate and organized scheme to make it worse. He refused to act on several reports on illegal mining; an example is that of Professor Frimpong Boateng,” he said.

He further urged Ghanaians to consider the government’s failure to address illegal mining as a significant reason to vote against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 general elections, citing galamsey as a direct threat to the livelihoods of many.

“Any Ghanaian who has no reason to vote against this government should look at galamsey, which is a threat to their livelihood,” Afriyie Ankrah emphasized.