Works and Housing Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has reiterated his firm stance against illegal mining, vowing to protect the community's rivers from destruction caused by those mining for gold in water bodies.

His remarks were made over the weekend during a campaign engagement in Ofoase Ayirebi, as part of his efforts to rally support ahead of the upcoming December 7 general election.

Speaking passionately in Twi to a crowd of constituents, Oppong Nkrumah rejected the notion that those engaged in illegal mining—commonly known as 'galamsey'—should be left alone to continue their activities for political reasons.

"Some people say that those mining gold in our rivers should be freed because if we ask them to stop, they will not vote for us," he said. "But I tell you as a matter of fact that if it is an MP who has made up his mind to allow some people to mine in their rivers and destroy their rivers, we at Ofoase Ayirebi will not allow it."

The MP stressed the importance of preserving the local rivers, which serve as a crucial source of drinking water for the community.

"This is because the river is our source of drinking water, isn’t it so?" he asked, receiving nods of agreement from the audience.

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Oppong Nkrumah lauded the efforts of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Paul Asamoah, in cracking down on illegal mining in the area.

He revealed that the local government, in collaboration with law enforcement, has been arresting those attempting to mine in rivers. "Our DCE, who is here with us, has at all times ensured that anyone attempting to mine in our rivers is arrested by the police," he explained.

He further disclosed his personal financial contribution to the fight against galamsey in the community, noting that he supports law enforcement efforts by paying for divers to help dismantle illegal mining equipment.

"Each time they go for raids, I pay 7,000 cedis to support them to procure the services of divers to go and dismantle the equipment of the miners," he said, underlining his personal commitment to the cause.

The Works and Housing Minister made it clear that Ofoase Ayirebi will not succumb to any external pressures or threats from illegal miners. "If there is anyone anywhere afraid to fight those destroying rivers, we at Ofoase Ayirebi will not allow anyone to come and destroy our rivers because he or she is searching for minerals," he declared, adding, "We will fight against such behaviour over here."

However, Oppong Nkrumah also emphasised that he was not opposed to responsible mining and encouraged those interested in mining to adopt sustainable practices that do not harm the environment, assuring them that the government is willing to support legitimate mining operations.

"For those seeking to mine for minerals, there are responsible and sustainable ways of mining, for which the government can support you to mine so you make your money and the government also gets its share," he said.

The MP urged his constituents to vote for him and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

"As for the December 7 election, I plead with you all, my mothers and fathers, let us be single-minded, and vote for No.1," he said, referring to Bawumia’s place on the ballot paper.

"By the time the ballots are counted, when Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is elected MP, Ghana will also have a new president named Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia."