Tempers ran high during a panel discussion on Joy Prime yesterday[ October 4, 2025] on the subject of the fight against galamsey, with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, lawyer John Darko and Mining Consultant Dr Solomon Owusu trading invectives.
Lawyer John Darko, who is the Vice Chairperson of the Environment, Science and Technology Committee of Parliament, had stated that no mining licenses were issued by the erstwhile New Patriotic Party(NPP) government led by Akuafo to persons to mine in forest reserves.
But Dr Owusu sought to correct him by advising that as Vice Chairperson of such an important committee of Parliament he should have researched on the matter before submitting that no mining licenses to mine in forest reserves was issued by President Akufo-Addo’s government given that even he as a non-resident of Ghana knew that in 2024 , over 44 licenses were issued following the passage of the Legislative Instrument that permitted mining in forest reserves in November 2024.
Lawyer Darko, however, did not take kindly to being told that he did not research before coming for the discussion. He took exception to being addressed in the manner Dr Owusu was doing.
He also took exception to Dr Owusu’s point that he was a resident of the US, wondering how that was a big deal. He added, addressing the host, that he did want to appear on shows with persons like Dr Owusu questioning who he thought he was.
“Stop addressing me like that. What do I know about you that you live in the United States? That it is such a big deal? That you live in the United States? Who are you?” Lawyer Darko wondered.
Dr Owusu noted that he merely sought to make the point that even though he didn’t live in Ghana, he was apprised of the fact that dozens of licenses were issued by the NPP government between November and December 2024.
” I don’t even live here but I know, I am not a parliamentarian but I know that your government issued about 44 licenses right after the November LI 2462. Between November and December they issued over 44 licenses to people to go and mine in the forests. So if you come and sit here and tell us your government never issued any licenses, either you’re lying to us or, I don’t know what, you didn’t do your research well. That’s why I am advising you that, next time, do you research,” Dr Owusu noted.
” Young man, go ahead and make your point,” Lawyer Darko cut in.
” I’m not a young man; I’m older than you. Keep quiet and listen to me” Dr Owusu insisted,” adding that”let me address him. I am not a politician and we need to stick to the issues.”
“I don’t expect to meet people like that when I am here because I don’t like to deal with people like him” an irritated Lawyer Darko complained to the host.
“Dealing with whom? My brother, never compare yourself to me in anything, eh! Education-wise, financially, everything, never compare yourself to me; you’re just a mere Member of Parliament, ” Dr Owusu hit back.
The host of the show, while urging calm, had to take a commercial break.
The show discussed the government’s efforts in the galamsey fight among other topical issues.
