Sissala West MP, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, has pointed fingers at Ghana’s political elite for the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis, urging a collective effort to tackle the problem.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, he stressed that politicians—not ordinary citizens—are responsible for the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
A Call for Political Accountability
Mr. Sukparu commended the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for engaging Parliament on the issue, calling it a crucial step towards finding lasting solutions.
“This is what we call the resetting agenda because, for the first time, a Minister has come before this House to acknowledge that we are all stakeholders and must unite in dialogue.”
“Blame Politicians, Not the Youth”
The MP rejected claims that unemployed youth are the main culprits behind the destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
“We often blame an ordinary youth working in Sissala West. But that youth does not know where a forest reserve in the Western Region is or which lands contain gold or diamonds.”
Instead, he alleged that politicians secretly fund and facilitate illegal mining while publicly condemning it.
“It is we, the leaders, who recruit these unemployed youth, provide them with equipment, and send them to destroy our forest reserves.”
Speaker Intervenes After Controversial Claim
Mr. Sukparu’s speech took a bold turn when he referenced a media report about a regional minister’s driver allegedly receiving a large sum of money linked to illegal mining.
“Mr. Speaker, we all heard the media report that a certain regional minister’s driver took a huge sum of money.”
Before he could continue, the Speaker interrupted, prompting him to clarify:
“I didn’t say it, Mr. Speaker. I said the media reported it.”
The Fight Against Galamsey: What’s Next?
His remarks have reignited the debate on political accountability in illegal mining, with many calling for stronger regulations and enforcement to curb the crisis.
