Accra: The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a strong condemnation following reports of an alleged attack on an anti-galamsey taskforce in Asutifi South, allegedly instigated by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP). The Speaker assured the Ghana Police Service and the public of Parliament's full cooperation in the investigations.
According to Ghana News Agency, in a formal communique delivered on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr. Bagbin described the incident as 'deeply troubling' and emphasized Parliament's unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law. The Speaker assured the Police and the public that no MP would be shielded from legal scrutiny if found culpable in any acts of incitement or obstruction of justice.
Mr. Bagbin instructed the Office of the Clerk and the Legal Service Office of Parliament to provide all necessary support to the Police in dealing with the issue. The Speaker's remarks came in response to allegations that Mr. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, might have instigated community members to confront and attack the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), an anti-galamsey taskforce operating in the area.
'I have the cause to remind members about the need for comportment and my intention is to ensure strict compliance with the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,' Mr. Bagbin stated. The Speaker observed that as much as members of Parliament have privileges and immunities to safeguard their duties when Parliament is in session, those privileges are not absolute and are required to comply with the laws of the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Addo has since denied inciting the community members to attack the anti-galamsey taskforce and voluntarily presented himself to the Ghana Police Service to assist in the investigations. The anti-galamsey attack occurred in Bronikrom, located in the Ahafo Region. The incident happened along the Goaso-Hwidiem road.
The attack is part of a larger issue in Ghana, where there have been several violent confrontations between anti-galamsey teams and illegal miners across the country. Illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as 'galamsey,' continues to pose serious environmental and social challenges across Ghana. The government's crackdown on the practice has often met resistance, making the support of political leaders crucial to enforcement efforts.
Speaker Bagbin's decisive stance on the matter sends a clear message that Parliament will not tolerate actions that compromise national efforts to protect the environment and uphold the rule of law.