February 24, 2020

Member of Parliament for the Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini has called on parliament to demonstrate interest in funds approved for the fight against illegal mining (Galamsey) in the face of what seems less than successful camping.

According to Suhuyini, there is the need for parliament to have oversight over the various institutions given fund to fight galamsey to check the results attained as they are funds of Ghanaian citizens.

“In whose interest we all represent and we should ensure that those funds did not go to waste”.

Again, it frightens me greatly that the Ghana Water Company (GWCL) has repeatedly shut down some of their treatment plants and have served notice that it is as a result of increase in the cost of chemicals and equipment repairs in order to continue to be in position to supply treated water, to homes and work places.

He also lamented over the destruction of farmlands, especially cash crops owing to illegal mining which remains a constant feature in print and audio visual news stories and in the country side.

“Mr. Speaker, law abiding entrepreneurs in small scale mining are estimated to have lost more than half a million dollars of their genuine investments in the course of over two years ban of their activities. This was done by government to streamline the sector and ensure sustainable development.

Mr. Speaker, aside recently reported missing seized excavators, there was an undercover expose conducted by Anas Armiyawu   Anas and Joynews,  many of which stories have raised questions about the direction of the campaign and the commitment of officials especially politicians to the success of the campaign”.

“The President boldly put his presidency on the line to demonstrate how much this cause meant to him, if for nothing at all, has his presidency to save and it will be important that he starts by accounting for and to the people of Ghana, all equipments, vehicles weapons, ammunitions and gold which were seized and kept by the officers he commissioned to help end illegal mining”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com