Godwin Owusu Frimpong
In a bid to divert attention from pressing environmental issues, Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyir, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has made headlines with his divisive assertion: that the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was more responsible for the pollution of water bodies than the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, of which he is a prominent member.
Speaking during an emergency parliamentary session in Accra, Annoh-Dompreh’s comments were an apparent retort to the opposition’s criticisms regarding the government’s lackluster efforts to combat the rampant destruction caused by galamsey. He expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would clearly reveal the NDC’s alleged environmental missteps while they were in power.
“I was very happy when the Minority Leader challenged us to debate this matter,” he declared. “If we are to look and investigate both sides of the house, you have had the opportunity to rule this country before, and I can tell you; you polluted the water more than us. So, let’s get matters straight.”
However, such statements raise critical questions about the logic behind his argument. In a time when both parties should unite to tackle an urgent environmental crisis, resorting to blame-shifting not only undermines the severity of the situation but also detracts from meaningful action toward safeguarding Ghana’s water quality.
When lives and health are at stake due to the consumption of polluted water, the focus should be on collaborative efforts to rehabilitate our water bodies rather than engaging in a pointless blame game. The people of Ghana are looking for solutions, and pointing fingers at past administrations detracts from the urgent clarion call to halt galamsey operations and ensure access to safe drinking water.
As the country grapples with the consequences of illegal mining, we must critically evaluate the intentions and responsibilities of our leaders. Rather than fostering a productive debate on pollution and accountability, Annoh-Dompreh’s comments may be perceived as an attempt to sidestep the pressing need for immediate action in addressing the galamsey crisis. Now is the time for unwavering commitment to the health of our ecosystems and the people who depend on them, not for political posturing that only serves to obfuscate the real issues at hand.
Godwin Owusu Frimpong
