Galamsey: Haruna Iddrisu calls for impeachment of Akufo-Addo

The Member of Parliament for Tamale South Constituency in the Northern Region, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the impeachment of President Nana Akufo-Addo as a means of addressing the country’s illegal mining crisis, known locally as “galamsey.”

Mr Iddrisu argues that the President has failed to deliver on his promise to combat galamsey, and that impeachment is the most effective way to hold him accountable.

“There is no more potent solution to ending galamsey than impeaching President Akufo-Addo.

If both parties support it, we will be successful. Then, President Mahama will also be forewarned that if he becomes President and fails in the galamsey fight, the same will be done to him,” Mr Iddrisu stated.

The former Minority Leader emphasized that such a drastic measure would send a strong message to future leaders that inaction on galamsey would have serious consequences.

Mr Iddrisu criticized the current situation, where the President is being praised despite failing to curb illegal mining.

“We praise him for his failure, and if we continue to honour failure, we will not make progress in addressing the issue,” he lamented.

He called on Parliament to take a firm stance and hold the President accountable for failing to protect the country’s natural resources and the livelihoods of citizens affected by illegal mining.

However, he expressed concern that political partisanship would prevent any meaningful action, even if a motion for impeachment were to be filed.

“Why should a motion to impeach the President for failing to fight galamsey not be considered, given its impact on our forests, water resources, and the livelihoods of our people? But when you initiate it, partisanship takes control,” he observed.

Mr Iddrisu urged Parliament to act in the best interests of the nation, calling for an end to political divisions to effectively address the illegal mining crisis.

Mr Iddrissu spoke on Accra-based Joy FM.

Discussions around the impact of galamsey intensified recently after the Ghana Water Company Limited in the Central Region announced potential challenges with water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities.

This announcement followed a documentary by the station titled “Poisoned Rivers,” which highlighted the devastating effects of galamsey on water bodies.

The company revealed that the demand-supply gap is due to insufficient raw water at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant, caused by illegal mining activities.

Environmental groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens have since expressed frustration over the lack of significant progress in curbing galamsey, which has led to the contamination of rivers, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods for many Ghanaians.