Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, the Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, has sought to clarify his comments regarding the government’s position on small-scale mining, which sparked widespread controversy and backlash.
The furor arose from a video recorded during a campaign event on September 27, suggesting that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government would not implement a ban on small-scale mining.
However, Dr. Afriye contends that his remarks were grossly misinterpreted and taken out of context. In an interview with Eyewitness News on September 30, he reiterated that his original comments had been misreported, stressing the need to differentiate between responsible small-scale mining operations and those that harm the environment.
The video, which attracted significant attention, drew condemnation from various advocacy groups calling for the government to take decisive action against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as “galamsey.” These organizations emphasized the severe environmental degradation associated with such practices.
Dr. Afriye expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation of his comments. “So, what the TV3 people did was that when I said we will not stop today or tomorrow, they actually truncated and doctored it out and then made it look like all I said was we are not doing anything about galamsey and we will not stop today or tomorrow. That is a misrepresentation; it actually put me out of context,” he stated.
He maintained his stance on the issue, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between irresponsible and responsible small-scale mining operations. “That is actually why many people will wonder if Ayew Afriye will stand on principle, and as I am speaking with you, I still stand on the basic principle that there are irresponsible small-scale mining and there are responsible small-scale mining. We cannot put a ban on small-scale mining; that is not fair.”
To drive home his point, Dr. Afriye drew an analogy with the fishing industry. “That is to say that in the southern belt, along the coast, in the river bodies and the Volta Lake, people are doing irresponsible fishing.
They use DDT and dynamite, and we are aware, but the state agency is after the illegal ones. Does that mean that we would ban all fishing in the south?” he added.
Meanwhile, organized labour has scheduled a meeting on October 1, 2024, to decide on a course of action – either a nationwide strike or demonstration – following the government’s failure to address their demand for a total ban on all forms of small-scale mining as a means to combat illegal mining.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Afriye’s comments has sparked renewed debate on the government’s approach to addressing environmental degradation caused by small-scale mining.
As the nation grapples with this critical issue, the distinction between responsible and irresponsible mining practices remains a pivotal point of discussion.
The forthcoming meeting by organized labour underscores the growing urgency for effective solutions to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s natural resources.
As stakeholders await the outcome of this meeting, the conversation surrounding small-scale mining and its environmental implications is likely to continue.
