Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto Committee, has assured Ghanaians that the party is firmly opposed to illegal mining activities.

As a former Minister for Youth and Sports, he emphasized the NDC's dedication to safeguarding Ghana's environment, particularly its forests and water bodies.

Afriyie Ankrah cautioned party members against engaging in illegal mining, stressing that such actions would not be tolerated under an NDC administration.

"We need to suspend all galamsey activities for at least one year to give our water bodies and forest reserves breathing space to recover. I investigated the GYEEDA Scandal with an independent body and I can promise that any member of my party who engages in galamsey will be investigated and prosecuted," he told Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on Nhyira FM on Thursday.

He advocated for a one-year suspension of all galamsey activities to allow the environment to recover.

He also highlighted his role in the investigation of the GYEEDA scandal and assured that any NDC member involved in illegal mining would face investigation and prosecution.

He criticized the current government for its inadequate response to the galamsey issue, alleging that it has been exacerbated by a deliberate effort to worsen the situation."Nana Addo's government over the past eight years has failed to sufficiently combat this galamsey menace because it is a deliberate and organised scheme to make it worse. He refused to act on several reports on illegal mining; an example is that of Professor Frimpong Boateng."The president ignored all the reports because a lot of his appointees are reported to have been involved in the illegality," he said.

He accused President Nana Addo of neglecting numerous reports on illegal mining, including one by Professor Frimpong Boateng, due to involvement by some of his appointees in these activities.

Afriyie Ankrah suggested that the failure to address illegal mining should be a compelling reason for voters to reject the ruling NPP, pointing out the threat galamsey poses to livelihoods and the environment."Any Ghanaian who has no reason to vote against this government should look at galamsey which is a threat to their livelihood," he stated.