Abuakwa South Constituency To Serve As Benchmark For Galamsey Fight – Dr Kingsley Agyemang
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi
The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has vowed to root out the canker of illegal mining in his constituency.
According to the MP, the interventions put in place will position the constituency to serve as a benchmark for the fight against galamsey.
Dr Kingsley Agyemang, who is unhappy with the massive destruction of the water bodies and some of its forest reserves within the constituency, organised a bi-partisan stakeholder’s engagement with the leadership of both the NPP and NDC to agree on the roadmap toward eliminating illegal mining in the area.
“There was a bi-partisan stakeholder’s engagement with constituency executives of both the NPP and NDC and there was an agreement between the two parties that we need to deal or solve the issue of galamsey in the constituency”, Dr Agyemang stated.
He added that, “the leadership of the party resolved that any party member involved in galamsey would not be freed if arrested”.
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The MP, who was also saddened by the scarcity of water in the constituency disclosed that the situation is affecting the livelihoods of the constituents.
He further explained that there would be a one month sensitisation program on radio asking everyone to exit the site and those with legal mining permit have also been asked to submit their documents to the security agencies for onward verification and authentication by the minerals commission.
“There will also be an environmental impact assessment to ascertain whether those with legal mining permit are complying with the rules”, Dr Agyemang posited.
The MP added that he believes this one month ultimatum issued to illegal miners would help clamp down on the activities of galamsey.
“This may be a landmark for the fight against galamsey in the country and Abuakwa South always gets it right,” he added.
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Dr Kingsley Agyemang added that provision has been made for illegal miners who would be affected by the quest to eradicate galamsey.
According to him, there are farming opportunities for the youth who would be affected by the move.
He stressed that by getting into farming, it would cushion the constituency feed itself and also put monies in the pockets of the youth.
