The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has rejected attempts to hold his ministry responsible for illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, insisting that persons involved in the practice must face the full rigours of the law regardless of their political affiliation.
Speaking in a interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, Sam George argued that the responsibility for addressing illegal mining does not fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
“If people today want to quote Sam George responsible for galamsey, is there a ministry that oversees [galamsey]? Is that ministry’s name Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation?” he asked.
The Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament stressed that he would not defend anyone involved in illegal mining, irrespective of whether the person belonged to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“I don’t care which person is involved in galamsey. Whether your NPP knew, or your NDC knew, that person is committing a murderous crime,” he stated.
He further insisted that political considerations should not shield individuals involved in the practice from accountability.
“And that person, in my opinion, needs to face the full rigours of the law, irrespective of their political party,” he added.
Sam George’s comments underline his position that the fight against illegal mining should be guided by accountability and the enforcement of the law rather than partisan considerations.
Galamsey remains a major concern in Ghana because of its impact on water bodies, forests and the environment, with successive governments facing calls to intensify efforts to curb the practice and prosecute offenders.
