The fight against illegal mining, or galamsey, has sparked a heated war of words between experts and government officials.
Mining consultant Wisdom Gomashie has recently made waves by calling President John Dramani Mahama the country’s “chief galamseyer”.
Gomashie argued that since the constitution places all mineral resources in the President’s hands, the ultimate responsibility for their destruction lies with him.
“As a matter of fact, as we speak today, President Mahama is the chief galamseyer in this country,” he said. “Because in line with Article 257 (6) of the 1992 Constitution, our minerals are in the hands of the President.”
Gomashie also criticised the Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, suggesting his leadership has allowed the mining crisis to worsen.
He even questioned why local district officials, who are government appointees, seem to be allowing illegal mining or even issuing fake permits under the government’s nose.
This outburst follows a separate clash involving Dr. Mary Awusi, the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority. Dr. Awusi recently attacked the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, after he complained that polluted rivers are now so dirty that the church has to use plastic pools for baptisms.
“The extensive pollution of water bodies due to illegal mining has hampered traditional water baptism in some mining communities, necessitating a shift to synthetic rubber pools,” the Apostle noted.
Dr. Awusi did not take kindly to this observation. She accused the religious leader of playing politics and warned him to stay in his lane.
She claimed that water quality has actually improved under President Mahama compared to the previous administration.
“If he descends to that level to behave like a politician, we will deal with him as a politician,” she stated. “We beg of him to focus on his pastoral work.”
While the Apostle worries about the environment and the spiritual life of his members, Dr. Awusi insists that critics are ignoring the progress the current government has made.
This back-and-forth highlights the deep tension in Ghana as the nation struggles to save its water bodies from destruction.
He made these comments while speaking on radio on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
