5,000 policemen for votes, zero for galamsey fight – Policy analyst slams politicians
Engineer and Policy Analyst Michael Kosi Dedey has criticised Ghanaian politicians for what he calls their complacent and self-serving approach to tackling pressing national issues, particularly galamsey.
In an interview on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Mr. Dedey expressed frustration at the stark contrast between the energy and resources political leaders devote to elections versus the lacklustre efforts made to address long-term national challenges.
“The scale of resources we pour into elections is remarkable, thousands of security personnel, high-level government attention, and massive logistical coordination. But when it comes to serious national issues like galamsey, the same urgency and commitment are nowhere to be found,” Dedey stated.
He cited the recent Akwatia by-election as a prime example, highlighting the disproportionate level of state involvement compared to the country’s ongoing struggle against illegal mining.
“Akwatia is just one of 276 constituencies, yet for a single by-election, over 5,000 police officers were deployed. Soldiers, ministers, and top officials flooded the area. But when it comes to fighting galamsey, you won’t find that level of police presence. You won’t see ministers visiting affected areas or leading the charge. That’s the real tragedy,” he said.
Mr. Dedey argued that this imbalance reveals a deeper problem, as political leaders are more invested in securing power than in solving the everyday problems affecting ordinary citizens.
“It’s clear that political ambition is taking precedence over national interest. Our leaders show up in full force when their seats are at stake but when it’s the future of our environment or the safety of our communities, they’re nowhere to be found,” the policy analyst stated in an interview with Channel One TV.
His remarks follow the Akwatia by-election held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, which saw the deployment of thousands of security personnel and several government officials.