Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga says the Mahama administration will not protect any government official caught engaging in illegal mining. He stressed that appointees or party figures implicated in galamsey will face arrest and prosecution.
He made the remarks in Parliament after Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh called for weekly updates from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on the growing devastation of forests and water bodies.
Ayariga told the House that President John Dramani Mahama is committed to enforcing the law without favour. He contrasted this with the previous administration, accusing former President Akufo-Addo of failing to act against party officials allegedly involved in illegal mining.
“Anyone found aiding or abetting illegal mining will be arrested. Whether you’re a government appointee or a party executive at the regional or national level, the president will not intervene,” he said.
Ayariga added that past reports about politically connected individuals involved in galamsey went unattended, but said the current government intends to follow through on every case.