Parliament, on September 3, 2024, was turned upside down as the minority and the majority engaged in a blame game as they seek to settle scores on who destroyed more water bodies with the increase in galamsey activities.

During the extra ordinary meeting of Parliament, the Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh blamed the erstwhile Mahama government for championing the course of galamsey activities in the country.

The debate and blame game stemmed from a recent announcement from the Ghana Water Company Limited that water supply to Cape Coast and its environs could be reduced drastically due to the imminent negative impact of the illegal mining on the major rivers that supply water to their pump stations.

In the wake of the worrying situation, Majority Chief Whip stated that, it is out of place for the minority in parliament to apportion the blame to the incumbent government for allowing the menace to continue.

“If we are to look and investigate both sides of the House (NPP and NDC), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So, let’s get matters straight,” he said.

However, Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Member of Parliament for Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam in the Central region, indicated that under this government even though security personnel have been deployed to help fight galamsey, the practice is still taking place.

Other MPs raised concerns about the scarcity of water in most parts of the country. The MP for Bodi, Samson Ahi said there is water shortage in places such as Kumasi, Western Region and parts of Greater Accra region due to the ripple effect of galamsey activities.

”If care is not taken, we may not get water to bath before coming to Parliament tomorrow,’’ he warned.

It is feared that, if the canker is not curbed and sanctity brought into the fight against galamsey, Ghana stands the risk of importing potable drinking water, which could only be afforded by a select few.

In a panel discussion on Peace FM’s 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Wednesday, September 3, Atik Mohammed, a policy analyst joined in the call for the dismissal of the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor for failing to combat the galamsey activities.