The former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour, has expressed hope in President Mahama’s administration and strongly advocated for pragmatic solutions to address the country’s problems.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Minister for Information under the late President John Evans Atta Mills administration addressed critical national concerns, including illegal mining (galamsey), the performance of the current Parliament, and the broader governance landscape.
Baffour believes it is unfair to evaluate President Mahama’s leadership in just two months, emphasizing that Ghana is still in a transition phase.
He argued that with many ministerial and municipal appointments still pending and the national budget only recently introduced, the real impact of government policies is yet to be felt.
“The good thing is that there is an air of hope and freedom, which we needed because the last eight years were a horror story for me. I won’t demonize the NPP because there are some very good people there, but we went through a period where we did not care much about the people on the street.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
His remarks highlight a broader concern about leadership’s responsibility toward ordinary Ghanaians, calling for a government that prioritizes the needs of the people over political maneuvering.
The Galamsey Menace and a Strategic Security Approach
On illegal mining, Baffour was critical of both the previous and current administrations, arguing that their approach to tackling the problem has been fundamentally flawed.
He questioned the deployment of military personnel in anti-galamsey operations, contending that the use of soldiers in internal security matters should be temporary and strategic.
“From what I’ve gathered, you don’t use soldiers internally unless it’s for a very short-term operation. The army is trained for time-bound missions, not prolonged enforcement activities.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
He proposed an alternative solution: the establishment of a dedicated Forest Guard Force to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
According to him, this specialized security unit should be armed, trained, and equipped to combat illegal mining and deforestation effectively.
“We need to put people who understand the forest, who are knowledgeable about the environment. We can get help from Kenya, South Africa, and train them at our Jungle Warfare Training Center in Akyem Achiase. Their only job should be to defend Ghana’s forests and environment.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
In addition to security measures, Baffour stressed the importance of tracking the entry of mining equipment into the country.
He criticized Ghana’s regulatory institutions, questioning how excavators and heavy-duty mining machinery manage to enter and operate illegally.
“We have GRA, we have security services, we have DVLA registering all these things. They should have been stopped at that level. But they get through, and we don’t talk about prevention; prevention is what’s most important.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
Should Seized Excavators Be Destroyed?
On the controversial issue of destroying seized mining equipment, Baffour proposed a more utilitarian approach. Instead of burning excavators, he suggested reallocating them for national development projects, particularly in areas where infrastructure is lacking.
“In America, the military engineers built the Panama Canal. They built the levees in Louisiana. In Britain, when there are emergencies, they bring them in. Why can’t we do the same?
“Give those seized excavators to the military, repaint them, and use them for national projects like cocoa roads and rural infrastructure development.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
His stance aligns with arguments against wastefulness in government policies, calling for more strategic resource utilization.
State of Emergency on Galamsey
Despite his strong stance against illegal mining, Baffour opposed declaring a state of emergency, citing the negative consequences on rural livelihoods.
“A state of emergency affects the innocent. We are talking about rural areas where people farm and rely on access to their lands. The impact of galamsey is immense, but so are the people affected. We have to be careful before we take such drastic measures.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
His position underscores the need for a balanced approach, ensuring that anti-galamsey measures do not inadvertently punish law-abiding citizens.
The State of Parliament: A Call for Unity
Reflecting on the current Ninth Parliament, Baffour acknowledged the challenges the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has faced following a significant loss of parliamentary seats.
The opposition party, which previously held a comfortable majority, saw its numbers reduced, leading to a more contentious and unpredictable legislative environment.
“It was a shock to most Ghanaians—the magnitude of the NPP’s parliamentary losses. If you had 137 MPs and now you have 88, then you’ve lost governance of the country. It’s a state of shock, and for pride and honor, you’ve got to do something about it.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
Despite the heightened tensions in Parliament, Baffour commended Afenyo Markin, the NPP’s Minority Leader, for his conduct.
“Afenyo Markin is doing very well. I’ve never seen any unpleasantness from him privately, unlike some others in the minority. Outside the chamber, we are all cordial, and we should extend that cordiality inside the chamber too.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
He further lamented the excessive politicization of Ghana’s institutions, arguing that certain national interests should be shielded from partisan interference.
“I hate the politicization of Ghana. Politics should not invade certain institutions because you need a clear mind to do things. When politics takes over, decision-making becomes stubborn and ineffective.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
Baffour’s message to Parliament was clear: cooperation is essential for national progress.
“We are a developing country, not a developed one. We cannot afford to demonize each other and fight all the time. If we don’t work together, this country is not going to be saved.”
Fritz Baffour, former NDC MP for Ablekuma South
READ ALSO: GSE Market Cap Hits GHS 137 Billion as MTN Ghana Leads Gainers
