Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North Constituency, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has revealed that he faced immense pressure to allow illegal mining activities during his tenure as the legislator for the area.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the former MP said the pressure came from various angles, including chiefs, fellow government officials, and security service members.

“Your own government appointee comes to you and says that his colleague from here is making so much money, and you are preventing them from doing the same. Most of the time, government appointees, sometimes even policemen, and other times our chiefs, some of them campaigned against me because I wouldn’t allow them to engage in galamsey when their colleague chiefs in other jurisdictions were making money. I said I wouldn’t allow it,” he stated.

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He added that he faced a similar situation when dealing with clashes between residents and herdsmen within the constituency.

“Yes, those who are doing it next door, here and there, were saying, ‘This man is doing it and making money. Why would you say we, of all people, can’t do it?’ I faced the same situation with the Fulani conflict, but in both situations, I said no. You can keep your money, but we will do the right thing,” the former MP said.

However, he emphasised that the fight against illegal mining cannot be won without the active involvement of chiefs, traditional leaders, and community members.

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“We must do away with politics and fight galamsey. This fight cannot be won without the support of the chiefs and community members who know the whereabouts of the miners,” he said.

GA/MA

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