We take a lot of things for granted in Ghana but this Galamsey blame game is too low for our politics.

My colleague Dr Nana Ayew Afriyea, MP for Effiduase Asokore has spewed out some unfortunate remarks.

Dr Nana Ayew Afriyea is quoted in an article published 30 September by myjoyonline.com thus: "The NDC saw that we [NPP] were winning the seats in the mining areas, so they decided to go and import foreigners to engage in illegal mining on our water bodies. The whole water bodies have not been a problem until now, it just started one month ago. It is someone behind that to force the NPP government to stop galamsey so that we will lose the seats. We won’t stop them [Galamseyers] today or tomorrow."

Sometimes you wonder why someone who has been educated with our taxpayers money will speak like that.

Dr Nana Afriyea even had the effrontery to say: "Then they take their journalists to talk about it. Is galamsey done in Accra? They should come to Kumasi to demonstrate against galamsey; like they will see."

For the record, Kumasi is an open place, it is part of Ghana, thus anyone can hold demonstrations there.

Such reckless comments are a threat to our democracy.

I will suggest that the privileges committee of Parliament invite him to answer serious questions.

Second, Dr Afriyea has disrespected the people of Kumasi by insinuating that they all support the Galamsey menace.

Third, the NDC is proud to associate with the demonstrators because they were fighting for a good cause.

Four, a Medical Doctor should be concerned about our polluted water bodies, shouldn’t he?

Or is it the case that when you are in your comfort zone then all reason leaves you?
I doubt if NPP MPs and respected NPP loyalists will support such loose talk.

Fifth, are the consequences of Galamsey not felt in Accra?

Let me be clear: Nobody is afraid of facing the NPP in the Ashanti Region.

Thankfully, myjoyonline.com reported that same day that Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, JM’s running mate had told the electorate in Amenfi Central: “The youth need jobs, and if galamsey is what they will continue to do, then they should be taught how to do it safely and without destroying their communities. We have come here with good intentions, to show a better way.”

Now that was bold. Right in the centre of Ashanti Region, In a Galamsey community.

All these eight years that the NPP has been in power, Dr Solomon Owusu, an NPP apparatchik has been granting interviews about how Galamsey could be done without destroying the environment, citing his American experience.

Yes, Galamsey has been with us for a very long time. Our students are taught alluvial mining in secondary school.

Artisanal miners have used alluvial mining techniques to search for gold, diamond and other mineral deposits from riverbeds since time immemorial; even licensed mining companies do that all over the world.

The problem at hand is the way our rivers are being polluted using Chanfang and excavators to divert the course of rivers and destroy all the fish and our water bodies.

There is hope in the clear way Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang has spoken.

The impunity displayed by the NPP is too much.

Ghanaians must reject them at the polls during the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

The writer, Dr Abed Bandim, writes from his Mud House in the Bunkpurugu Nakpanduri District.