The Members of Parliament from both the Majority and Minority sides have traded jabs and accusations at each other over successive government failures to fight galamsey.
The minority equated the arrest of an NDC MP to the struggles of the current government to deal with the menace.
Speaking during proceedings on November 5, 2025, the MP for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, recommended the government for the steps taken so far to combat illegal mining, although he believes more can be done.
Francis-Xavier Sosu stated, “I want to commend the government for the effort made so far, even though I believe more must be done to bring this under control. For instance, the introduction of the Blue Water Guard is a critical intervention. Recently, the LI, which allows mining in forest reserves, has also been revoked.
These are very decisive steps that are being taken to deal with this menace”, he added.
Stephen Amoah was next to join the debate, the MP for Nhyiaeso, accused the ruling NDC of hypocrisy and propaganda in the fight against illegal mining.
He stated, “We had hope, Ghanaians had faith, and they believed in our brothers in opposition, thinking that within the shortest possible time, galamsey would be a thing of the past. But what do we see today? It is even aggravating”.
I will never blame the NDC government. I want to be a good citizen. I’m asking them first to apologise to us and to Ghanaians for lying to us, for the deception, the propaganda, and the lies they told Ghanaians.”
Also, Isaac Adongo, an NDC MP, later blamed the Akufo-Addo administration for fueling illegal mining.
He noted that the former President promised to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey.
“Mr Speaker, we are in this country where people told us that they had put their presidency on the line and ended up with the presidency at home, leaving us with galamsey.
Mr Speaker, we are making sure that the environments you destroyed will be reclaimed, and you should be clapping for John Mahama for wanting to save your environment,” he said.
Former Defence leader Dominic Nitiwul later joined in the debate, he stated, “ Your own member of parliament, no NPP MP has been accused or arrested because of galamsey, but an NDC MP led thugs, to go and attack security forces because of galamsey, and you have the nerve to accuse us”.
“5000 excavators were being moved at night, why are you not arresting the supposed big people, why are you shielding them? It is because you are complicit”.
Meanwhile, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has strongly urged both parliamentary caucuses to unite and take decisive action to eradicate galamsey.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is not an NDC and NPP affair but a Ghana affair.
He emphasised the importance of sending a clear and unified message to the Ghanaian people about the urgent need to end illegal mining.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated, “The issue of galamsey calls for action, collective, not an NDC-NPP affair, but a Ghana affair.
It shouldn’t become like you go to the area that people are mining, and then you say, because you may lose the election, you don’t want to talk about it, or they will even push you to be lawless, all in the interest of votes that would end up in a coffin.”
He added, “Mr Speaker, can we, as political leaders, for once agree to stay the partisan approach on this matter, and deal with it and let our citizens know that this is a matter that affects the country and our own livelihoods”.
Also, Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has condemned the attack on officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
According to Alban Bagbin, Parliament will not protect any MP found guilty of misconduct.
Speaker Bagbin described the two Members of Parliament’s alleged involvement in the attack on NAIMOS as most worrying.
Watch the video below:
Members of Parliament from both sides of the House traded jabs and accused each other of failing the galamsey fight.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) November 5, 2025
The minority equated the arrest of an NDC MP to the struggles of the current government to deal with the menace.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/Sy5cWkp7KF