The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as 'galamsey', has once again ignited intense debate in the Parliament, leading to heated exchanges between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During an emergency parliamentary sitting, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, asserted that the opposition NDC had caused more environmental damage through galamsey activities than the NPP.

“If we are to look and investigate both sides of the House (NPP and NDC), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So let’s get matters straight,” he said on Tuesday.

His remarks drew sharp criticism from NDC members, who accused the NPP of failing to address the galamsey menace effectively.

The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forso argued that despite the deployment of security personnel, illegal mining remains rampant under the current administration.

“If the President has failed to curb illegal mining, he should admit so. And if the Defence Minister has failed in tacking galamsey, should admit so.

“It is wrong for him to insinuate and create the perception that someone is making a political statement. The issue is very serious, our livelihood is threatened,” he said.

This debate comes after two-and-a-half-year-old twins fell into an abandoned galamsey pit filled with water and died.

The occurred at Morkwaa, a farming community near Twifo Praso in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region. 

It marks the eighth fatality caused by uncovered galamsey pits in the district this year according to some residents.

Environmental groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens have voiced their frustrations over the lack of significant progress in curbing galamsey activities, which have resulted in the contamination of rivers, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods for many Ghanaians.

While the NPP emphasised its commitment to tackling illegal mining, the NDC called for more transparent and accountable measures to address the problem.