Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has raised alarm over the misuse of national infrastructure equipment, revealing that machines designated under Ghana’s Digital Road Infrastructure Programme (DRIP) are being diverted for illegal mining operations, a practice he says is fueling both environmental destruction and economic decline.
Speaking during a Parliamentary debate on the state of the economy on Monday, July 14, Afenyo-Markin did not mince words, accusing some individuals of operating with impunity and undermining the nation’s future for personal gain.
“Today, the DRIP machines that are supposed to be for our roads, some people are using them for galamsey, and there is no authority to even reprimand them. There is impunity,” he said.
The Minority Leader called on the government to act swiftly and decisively to stop illegal mining and prevent further environmental degradation.
“Mr. Speaker, if we do not deal with this galamsey issue, money is getting into the hands of people, and they are destroying the environment. In the long run, it is this same economy that will be affected,” he warned.
The DRIP machines, introduced as part of a national initiative to improve Ghana’s road infrastructure through modern technology and digital monitoring, are reportedly being misused in some regions for illegal mining activities, prompting outrage from environmental advocates and development partners.
Illegal mining has long been a thorn in the side of Ghana’s environmental and economic landscape. While successive governments have pledged to tackle the issue, enforcement has often been weak, and powerful interests continue to benefit from the practice.
As Ghana navigates its path to economic recovery, experts warn that protecting the country’s natural resources is not only an environmental obligation but an economic necessity, and the misuse of public infrastructure for illicit gain is a dangerous step in the wrong direction.
