Minority slams Mahama’s galamsey engagement as “publicity gimmick”
The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s recent meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on illegal mining, branding it a “publicity gimmick” designed to mask his government’s inability to tackle the galamsey crisis.
President Mahama, during an engagement with CSOs on Friday, October 3, pledged his government’s commitment to end illegal mining but disclosed that the National Security Council had advised against declaring a state of emergency.
In a press release 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 over the worsening scale of illegal mining nationwide.
The Caucus accused the President of downplaying the severe environmental and public health impacts of galamsey, despite mounting reports of polluted rivers, contaminated soil, 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.
The Minority further questioned how President Mahama could “look Ghanaians in the eye” and claim success in the fight against galamsey, citing a recent Pure Earth and EPA joint report confirming widespread water pollution and environmental degradation.
They warned of dire consequences for food security, water supply, and public health if urgent action is not taken.
Contrasting former President Mahama’s approach with what they described as a “comprehensive and effective” strategy under the Akufo-Addo administration, the Minority cited several key interventions implemented between 2017 and 2022.
These included the formation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), the launch of Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt II security task forces, and the red zoning of rivers and forest reserves.
Other measures mentioned were the introduction of mercury-free gold processing technologies such as the Gold Kacha, the establishment of Small-Scale Mining Committees in all 83 mining districts, the deployment of river guards and acquisition of Navy patrol boats, as well as the rollout of community mining schemes and alternative livelihood programmes.
According to the Minority, these policies have either been abandoned, diluted, or rebranded under Mahama’s leadership, citing examples like “Responsible Cooperative Mining” and “Blue Water Guards,” which they dismissed as cosmetic renamings of earlier initiatives.
The statement accused the government of lacking the political will to confront the menace head-on and called on CSOs, traditional rulers, and the clergy to hold the administration accountable beyond partisan lines.
They concluded by urging President Mahama to demonstrate bold leadership and move from rhetoric to decisive action.