Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Settle Ghana has criticized the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region and Chairman of the Energy Committee of Parliament, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, over his comments defending President Nana Akufo-Addo's handling of the fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

The criticism follows Mr. Atta Akyea's assertion that the President cannot be solely blamed for the illegal mining crisis that has led to the devastation of several water bodies across the country.

In an exclusive interview with Kwame Dwomoh Agyemang on Class 91.3 FM, Mr. Atta Akyea argued that the President does not have absolute power in combating the issue.

"It is not wholly true that the President has all the power; the power he has requires cooperation to be effective.

“For example, if there is a chief who supports galamsey, the President cannot just go and arrest these individuals," he said.

However, in response during an interview with Class News, Mr Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese, Head of Advocacy at Settle Ghana, dismissed Mr. Atta Akyea's remarks as "flimsy and unfortunate," particularly given President Akufo-Addo's pledge to end the illegal mining menace.

Mr. Kudus criticized the government's efforts under President Akufo-Addo, describing the fight against illegal mining as a "mere stunt" that had failed miserably.

"You don't need rocket science to tell you that the kingpins of galamsey are indeed in government – at the presidency, in the high offices of their party, both regional and national.

"For that matter, there's no fight. There can never be any fight," he stated.

Mr. Kudus further argued that as Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea should be well aware of these facts.

He questioned Mr. Atta Akyea's position, saying, "When it is good, it's the President. When it is bad, it is all of us.

"Where is that principle coming from?"

He also called on all Ghanaians, including religious groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), and organized labour, to actively join the fight against illegal mining to protect the country's water bodies and forest reserves.