Environmental activists have slammed the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore, Dr Nana Afriyie Ayew, for his recent commentary believed to be endorsing illegal mining and its perpetrators.

According to the medical doctor, fighting illegal mining, also known as galamsey, will lead the party into opposition.

Speaking at a campaign event ahead of the elections, Dr Ayew, who also doubles as the Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, suggested that the galamsey agenda was being pushed by political opponents to undermine the NPP's chances of winning the election, especially in mining areas.

He vowed that the NPP was not going to stop illegal mining now or in the foreseeable future, claiming that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) imported foreign nationals to engage in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has significantly harmed Ghana's water bodies.

In response, the Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwaa, described the remarks as disappointing.

Read Also: Galamsey: NDC imported foreigners to destroy our water bodies – NPP MP alleges

She explained that such individuals should not hold positions of power because they do not think beyond their immediate interests.

“It is just disappointing, nobody who is in the medical profession will make jokes about the welfare of Ghanaians. We know about what is happening, we know about the increase in kidney disease, cancers, and neurological challenges, we know about stillbirth, maternal death, and open pits killing people and all we can think about is votes, then such people shouldn't be standing political office,” she said.

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