The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has declared that Parliament will not protect any Member of Parliament (MP) found engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He warned that legislators complicit in the act will face the full rigors of the law.
Addressing a conference on theme “Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining in Ghana” at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Speaker emphasised the devastating impact of irresponsible mining on the country’s environment, food security, and water bodies.
He noted that while foreign investors were legally allowed to mine, Ghanaian small-scale miners are often criminalized, a situation he described as a “leadership failure”.
“There is a petition before me concerning a Member of Parliament, and I have initiated an investigation. The member has already appeared before me. We will not tolerate any MP, regardless of their position, who is complicit in destructive mining activities,” Mr. Bagbin declared.
He further criticized past governments for failing to properly regulate small-scale mining and urged the current administration not to repeat those mistakes. He assured that Parliament would provide the necessary legislative backing and oversight to ensure sustainable and responsible mining practices.
Responsible mining
The Speaker further called on MPs to champion responsible mining in their constituencies, educate their communities, and promote environmentally friendly practices. He warned that turning a blind eye to illegal mining while preaching accountability and integrity would not be tolerated under his leadership.
“As lawmakers, we must lead by example. We cannot preach accountability while ignoring misconduct within our ranks. Any MP caught engaging in illegal mining will face the full wrath of the law,” he cautioned.
He expressed confidence that, with strong leadership and collective commitment, Ghana could develop a sustainable small-scale mining sector that benefits both local communities and the national economy.
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