Akufo Addo was just ‘nonchalant and dismissive’—Franklin Cudjoe on the failed galamsey fight

The President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has strongly criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his lacklustre approach to addressing illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to Cudjoe, Akufo-Addo’s administration turned a blind eye to the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining activities in a bid to prioritise economic gain.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, January 25, Cudjoe described the former president’s efforts as “nonchalant and dismissive,” adding that his leadership style demonstrated an indifference to the ecological and social consequences of galamsey.

“Not long ago, we saw what the former president did. He was just nonchalant about the whole idea of galamsey. He was not ready to call anybody to order,” Cudjoe remarked.

He further accused Akufo-Addo of failing to take decisive action against illegal mining, which he said has wreaked havoc on Ghana’s forests and rivers.

The IMANI Africa president expressed his frustration at what he perceives as a lack of accountability and urgency in tackling the issue.

“He [Akufo-Addo] was not ready to call anybody to order. And all these acts tell people that our leaders are not responsible,” he said.

Cudjoe also suggested that the former president’s inaction was partly driven by economic motives, claiming that some officials justified the environmental damage as a means to shore up the Ghanaian cedi against the dollar.

“How do you allow these things to go on, and people somehow said it was an opportunity to shore up the cedi; otherwise, it would have gone up to GH¢25 to the dollar? They turned a blind eye to an ecological suicide,” Cudjoe lamented.

Illegal mining, or galamsey, has caused widespread environmental destruction across Ghana, affecting rivers, forests, and ecosystems vital to the country’s sustainability.

Rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have been heavily polluted with toxic substances like mercury, rendering them unsafe for human consumption and agricultural use. The contamination has left many communities without access to clean water and severely impacted livelihoods dependent on farming and fishing.

Additionally, vast stretches of forest cover have been cleared to make way for illegal mining operations, resulting in significant land degradation. Experts warn that restoring these areas has become nearly impossible, worsening the challenges posed by climate change, deforestation, and food insecurity.

Cudjoe’s comments add to the growing public outrage over the lasting impact of galamsey. Many have called for stricter enforcement of anti-mining regulations and greater accountability for leaders who have failed to address the issue effectively.

As Ghana continues to grapple with the consequences of galamsey, the debate over balancing economic development and environmental sustainability remains a critical challenge for the country’s leadership.

 

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