The Minority has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on illegal mining, describing it as a “publicity gimmick” aimed at deflecting attention from his government’s failure to tackle the galamsey menace.
President Mahama on Friday, October 3 met CSOs on the galamsey menace. He assured among other things that his government was determined to win the galamsey fight but indicated that the National Security Council has advised him against declaring a state of emergency.
In a press statement issued on Monday, October 6, and signed by the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Minority expressed deep concern about the worsening state of illegal mining across the country.
The Caucus accused the President of downplaying the environmental and public health dangers posed by illegal mining, even as reports highlight rising turbidity levels in major rivers, soil contamination, and the destruction of forest reserves.
“It is clear that the encounter with the CSOs was a publicity stunt calculated to cover up the Government’s failed attempts at dealing with illegal mining,” the statement read.
They questioned how, despite mounting evidence of environmental degradation, President Mahama could “look Ghanaians in the eye” and claim he is winning the fight against illegal mining.
Citing a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirming widespread pollution, the Minority warned of grave consequences for Ghana’s food security, water supply, and public health.
The statement contrasted the current administration’s approach with what the Minority described as a “comprehensive and effective” anti-galamsey strategy implemented by the Akufo-Addo-led government. They outlined several measures introduced between 2017 and 2022, including:
* The establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM)
* Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt II security deployments
* Red zoning of water bodies and forest reserves
* Introduction of mercury-free gold processing technologies (Gold Kacha)
* Small-Scale Mining Committees across all 83 mining districts
* Deployment of river guards and acquisition of Navy patrol boats
* Community mining schemes and skills development programmes
According to the Minority, many of these interventions have either been abandoned, renamed without reform, or diluted under the Mahama administration.
“The government has merely resorted to the renaming of policies and programmes introduced by the Akufo-Addo government,” the statement noted, pointing to rebranded initiatives like the “Responsible Cooperative Mining” and the “Blue Water Guards.”
The Caucus accused the Mahama government of lacking the political will to decisively confront illegal mining, urging Civil Society Organisations, traditional leaders, and the clergy to rise above partisanship and hold the government accountable.
“Ghanaians can no longer be subjected to propaganda and publicity gimmicks in place of genuine solutions. The nation requires competent and effective governance in the public interest,” they stated.
Calling for real action, the Minority urged President Mahama to move beyond rhetoric and show bold leadership in confronting the galamsey threat.
“The fight against illegal mining can only be won through bold, consistent, and effective action. Anything less would be a grave abdication of duty to the people of Ghana and to future generations.”
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