It is deeply concerning to witness a public official, particularly one with a background in medicine and public health, make statements that seem to prioritise political expediency over the well-being of the nation.

Dr. Ayew Afriyie, a Member of Parliament (MP) who holds a Master's degree in Public Health and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee, has utterly failed his duty to the people with his recent remarks on illegal mining (galamsey).

To declare, without hesitation, that "we won’t ban galamsey today or tomorrow" is not only irresponsible but disgraceful. Galamsey is one of the gravest environmental, public health, and social crises facing Ghana today.

• Read also: We won’t ban galamsey today or tomorrow – NPP MP Ayew Afriyie

It has poisoned water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and led to catastrophic environmental damage that will take generations to reverse. How can a medical professional—someone trained to safeguard life and health—condone a practice that is directly contributing to long-term damage to public health through pollution, loss of livelihoods, and displacement?

As a lawmaker, Dr. Afriyie is meant to champion policies that protect the welfare of the people he serves, not defend a system that perpetuates environmental degradation and endangers the nation's future.

The fact that he leads a committee tasked with health oversight compounds this failure. The people of Ghana deserve leaders who will fight for the country's future, not offer passive excuses for inaction or complacency on such a critical issue.

Dr. Ayew Afriyie’s stance on galamsey is a stark reminder of the moral decay present in parts of our political landscape.

Instead of setting an example as both a health professional and a parliamentarian, he has aligned himself with interests that undermine the country’s integrity. This is a disgrace to not only medical practice but to the very principles of governance and leadership.

It is time for our leaders to wake up and realize that inaction on issues like galamsey is not just a political misstep—it is a betrayal of the people’s trust and a violation of their responsibility to future generations. Dr. Afriyie should know better. Ghana deserves better.

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Sincerely,
Ernest De-Graft Egyir
Founding Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executives( CEO) Network Ghana.