Ghana News Online

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and Member of Parliament of Effutu, has warned that the formation of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and its dual role as both a regulator and an operator could be indirectly encouraging a surge in illegal mining, popularly referred to as galasmey.

Addressing the press on Monday, January 26, Osahen Afenyo-Markin argues that the further destruction of Ghana’s once enviable water bodies has increased, attributing it to the activities of illegal miners, underscoring the need to redefine the function of the GoldBod.

According to him, the Mahama administration is mishandling the mining sector, especially with the formation of the GoldBod and its assigned roles of regulating and operating the mining sector.

“Organised labour last year sounded an alarm and indicated that galamsey activities have worsened. This government has failed to provide tangible evidence of its commitment to the fight against galamsey,” he said.

The Minority Leader accused the government of prioritising public relations over effective action.

“It is clear that they are always involved in PR gimmicks, looking at the optics rather than the substance. They are interested in short-term gains,” Afenyo-Markin noted.

The leader of the minority caucus maintains that it is seemingly difficult for the GoldBod to distinguish which of the gold is from the legal miners and those from the illegal miners.

“All we know is that they are talking about their success story, the amount of gold, or tonnes of gold, they have purchased, yet they have failed to tell us whether there are measures to tackle illicit gold produced through galamsey activities,” he noted.

He warned that the nation’s future could be jeopardised if decisive steps are not taken.

“We are concerned because the future of this country is at stake, and the earlier this government takes steps to protect the future of Ghana, the better,” he said.