Physician and political activist, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, has voiced strong criticism against Ghana’s major political parties, accusing them of lacking the commitment to address the country’s illegal mining crisis, commonly known as galamsey. Speaking during an interview on Joy News on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Dr. Kennedy argued that vested political interests are hindering efforts to combat the destructive practice.
According to Dr. Kennedy, many Members of Parliament (MPs) and senior party officials are either directly involved in or financially backing illegal mining operations. This, he claimed, explains the parties’ reluctance to take decisive action against the galamsey menace. “We are beating around the bush,” he said, stressing that the problem will persist unless those influential figures are held accountable.
Illegal mining has long plagued Ghana, causing severe damage to water bodies, lands, and forest reserves. Despite calls for government intervention from various civil society groups, the issue remains a significant challenge.
Dr. Kennedy revealed that he had previously appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, urging the traditional leader to engage with key political parties to help find a solution. He emphasized that solving the galamsey crisis requires not only political will but also an extraordinary collective effort from all stakeholders.
“I have already appealed twice to the Asantehene to reach out to the key parties and solve this,” Dr. Kennedy said. He added, “Let’s find the big people who are funding them, arrest them, and sentence them to prison. Most of the big people are party elders and Members of Parliament.”
Dr. Kennedy’s remarks highlight the deep-rooted nature of the illegal mining problem and the political complexities surrounding it. He called for more aggressive and targeted measures, stating, “If we want to solve the problem, we must go to the source and solve it. But none of the political parties will solve it unless extraordinary measures are taken.”
His comments are likely to reignite the ongoing national debate on galamsey, particularly regarding the role political figures play in enabling the illegal activity.
