Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, has criticized the government, on what he describes as a failed effort in its fight against illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Francis-Xavier Sosu specified that when it comes to issues of national policy, the government has taken Ghanaians for a ride, and looking at it, climate change is one of such rides. He criticized how the government claimed to have always fought against illegal mining and yet, never had proof. He claimed the government was only good at saying one thing and doing the exact opposite, especially when the public is not watching.
“The galamsey fight has been a very disappointing one and the government has failed Ghanaians, especially in the wake of the revelations coming out of Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s galamsey report.
“Promises and commitments made by the government, must be backed with actions. The government can sometimes make beautiful commitments to afforestation, and beautiful commitments to the protection of the environment. And yet, at the blind side of all Ghanaians, they will be the ones leading the degradation of the environment. And for me, that is hypocrisy, that is bad faith and that is not taking Ghanaians seriously.”
Francis-Xavier Sosu
Speaking to the media at the 2023 National Youth Conference (NYC) on natural resources and environmental governance, the Madina Constituency MP, called for an independent commission to be set up, which would investigate issues that emerged from Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s exposé.
To push his claims further, he accused the government of suffering from a policy crises and urged Ghanaians to hold it accountable for the promises and commitments it makes.
“The government is suffering from serious policy crises because for every promise that the government makes, the credibility of those promises are always questionable. There is a need for all of us to call for a right to climate change, and have a more modern approach to dealing with issues having to do with climate change.”
Francis-Xavier Sosu
Minority Calls For Bi-Partisan Probe
The National Democratic Congress (NDC); Minority caucus, called on Parliament to set up a bi-partisan investigative ad-hoc committee, to look into Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s bombshell report on illegal mining in the country.
Claims by the group that the involvement of some key persons, who are linked to the government in the document, is what makes it difficult for the President to act on the report, even after being presented to him in 2021.
Dr. Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Member of Parliament for Wa central and the ranking member on the committee on Mines and Energy, speaking on behalf of the Minority caucus, said the indictment of some government officials in the report is an indication that the current administration is unwilling to deal with the pervasive challenges, facing the mining sector.
“Having read Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s report on illegal mining, we the Minority have come to a painful conclusion that the Akufo-Addo-led government is fully stripped of all semblance of a serious government, entrusted in securing the country’s environment for future generations.
“We want to assure Ghanaians that the government will be monitored, to ensure that something definite happens in these allegations. We want to assure them that Parliament will set up a bi-partisan investigative committee, maybe an ad hoc committee on this matter, upon request by the Minority, so that we can understand the issues.”
Dr. Rashid Hassan Pelpuo
He said the Minority is disgusted by the government’s alleged involvement in illegal mining and called on all well-meaning citizens to rally behind them, in exposing the supposed rot at the seat of government. “It is the worst we have ever had, in which the watchman has become the thief,” averred the MP.
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