Galamsey: You Are Better Than This, You Didn't Talk Well - Prof Agyekum Scolds Annoh Dompreh

The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has been heavily criticised by Prof Kofi Agyekum, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, Legon, and the host of Peace FM’s 'Kokrokoo' Morning Show, Kwami Sefa Kayi, over his comments on the floor of Parliament asserting that the NDC has destroyed more rivers than the NPP with galamsey activities.

The issue of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, ignited a fierce debate in Parliament on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. There were exchanges between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During the Parliamentary proceedings, the majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh asserted that the NDC had caused more damages to the water bodies, and by extension, the environment, through galamsey activities than the NPP.

During the altercation in Parliament, Frank Annoh Dompreh said, “If we are to look and investigate both sides of the house (NDC and NPP), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So let’s get matters straight.”

Frank Annoh Dompreh’s comment has received a lot of backlash from Ghanaians with members of the opposition calling for his resignation.

In a panel discussion on Thursday, September 5, 2024, on Peace FM’s 'Kokrokoo' morning show, Prof Kofi Agyekum said, “Why has Parliament turned discussion on galamsey into a league? What would have happened if you didn’t make the statement you made? This statement should have been made by one of the backbenchers in Parliament and he or she will be forgiven, but not a whole majority Chief Whip of Your calibre. Once you make a statement of this sort, then we are doomed. What your statement presupposes is that, the fight against galamsey can never be won. This is not how to talk”.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com