The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is calling for urgent and decisive action to address Ghana’s escalating illegal mining crisis, warning that the country is heading toward an environmental catastrophe.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday as the House resumed sittings, the Effutu MP described a grim reality—polluted rivers, poisoned farmlands, and communities exposed to dangerous chemicals due to galamsey.
“Our rivers run brown with pollution, vast tracts of once fertile land lie scarred and toxic, and many of our citizens in mining communities face illness and danger. We have talked about illegal mining for years—yet the problem has only grown worse. Time for mere talk is over,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin urged government, Parliament, and local authorities to work together in a coordinated effort to reverse the damage and protect the environment for future generations.
He also cited Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s 2010 investigative documentary as an early warning about the scale of illegal mining and the corruption behind it—warnings he said were not heeded.
The Minority Leader’s remarks come amid growing national concern over the pollution of key rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, which have turned brown due to mining waste.
His call is expected to spark fresh debate on the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts and the need for a comprehensive, bipartisan strategy to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.
