Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has clashed with Obrempong Gyamfi Saforo Kyere, the Akyem Kotoku Krontihene, over illegal mining in the constituency.
Speaking during a galamsey dialogue at the Akyem Oda lorry station when the Dwaso Nsem team visited, Mr. Acquah questioned why the chief raised concerns about galamsey in the local market.
“Do we do galamsey in the market? The market is not a galamsey site. Why should Nana bring such issues here?” he asked.
“You don’t bring something that will denigrate your own seat when we are having a meaningful discussion. No one is a kid here; everyone is a man. I don’t know if Nana is doing politics or not, but I respect the chief and don’t want to disrespect him. Still, he should have been careful not to bring this issue here,” the MP added.
Mr. Acquah also dismissed claims that illegal mining only began under the NDC administration.
“During the NPP time, there was galamsey in Akyem Oda too. Even when I was MP, some people carried out illegal mining in the market area while we were building a new market,” he said.
He stated that Ghana has laws regulating mining and stressed the importance of following legal procedures.
The Krontihene, meanwhile, was reacting to Mr. Acquah’s earlier assertion that Akyem Oda was galamsey-free during the NPP regime.
The chief questioned the MP’s claim, saying, “Even during your time as MP, illegal mining occurred. Some of your own constituents carried out galamsey in the market while you were in office. To say there was no galamsey during the NPP era is simply not true.”
The exchange highlights the continuing tension over illegal mining in the constituency, with both the MP and traditional authorities pointing fingers over responsibility and enforcement.
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