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Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore, has reiterated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s unwavering commitment to supporting legal small-scale mining activities in Ghana. Speaking at a campaign event on Friday, September 27, he emphasized the difference between regulated, responsible mining and illegal activities that cause environmental harm, such as the destruction of forests and water bodies.
Dr. Ayew Afriyie stressed that the government remains focused on enforcing laws within the mining sector to ensure sustainability. He accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of spreading false information in Accra to undermine the government’s efforts and credibility, particularly regarding mining policies.
“We will continue to support legal mining operations, even in forest areas, despite the risks this may pose to us politically, especially in mining communities,” he stated.
The MP expressed confidence in the NPP’s ability to secure all parliamentary seats in mining regions during the 2024 elections, citing the party’s strong ties to the sector and dedication to sustainable mining practices.
He accused the NDC of importing foreigners to engage in illegal mining (galamsey) in areas like Offin and Oda to disrupt the NPP’s electoral chances in mining regions. However, he assured that the government will continue its crackdown on illegal mining and ensure that only legal small-scale mining operations are allowed to continue.
Dr. Ayew Afriyie further criticized those engaging in illegal mining in water bodies, describing them as “wicked” and promising that the NPP will put an end to such activities. He also highlighted the party’s efforts to differentiate between responsible small-scale miners and illegal operators.
“The NDC knows we’re winning the seats in mining areas, so they are doing everything possible to frustrate our votes. But we will not stop small-scale mining today or tomorrow,” he concluded.
