Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Middle Belt Coordinator for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Campaign and Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, has urged National Security to investigate Togolese nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining and environmental damage in Ghana’s Eastern Region.
In an interview with Despite Media’s Sampson Kwame Nyamekye in Kumasi, Dr. Ayew Afriyie shared that the Small Scale Miners Association had apprehended these Togolese nationals and turned them over to the police.
According to Dr. Ayew Afriyie, during police questioning, the suspects identified three individuals—Noah, J.J., and an Assemblyman—all linked to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—as financiers and equipment providers for the illegal operations.
He added that while J.J. and the Assemblyman remain at large, Noah was detained while attempting to deliver changfan machines to the miners. Dr. Ayew Afriyie further accused the NDC of stirring public debate on galamsey to tarnish the NPP government, despite their own involvement in illegal mining activities.
The MP highlighted the crucial role of the police and national security agencies in stepping in to bring those responsible for illegal mining to justice.
He cautioned against politicizing anti-galamsey initiatives, emphasizing that such actions would impede progress. Dr. Ayew Afriyie called on Ghanaians and civil society groups to actively help uncover those behind illegal mining activities.
Galamsey mining in Ghana presents severe environmental, health, and economic issues. This illegal small-scale mining has caused widespread destruction of forests, farmland, and water bodies, leading to water shortages, chronic health issues, and harm to cocoa production.
Although the government has taken steps to combat galamsey, the illegal practice continues to escalate.
