“Many of My Parliamentary Candidates Lost Their Seats Due To My Commitment to Fight Galamsey”—Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that his unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, came at a significant political cost, including the loss of parliamentary seats by many candidates of his party during the 2020 elections.

Speaking during his 2024 State of the Nation Address, the President reflected on the challenges and sacrifices tied to the campaign, describing it as one of the most demanding tasks of his presidency.

“Tackling galamsey was a priority from the very beginning of my administration because of its devastating impact on our environment and water bodies,” he said. “I knew it was not going to be easy, but I was prepared to put my presidency on the line to protect lives, water bodies, and our environment.”

President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that his firm stance on illegal mining led to discontent among some constituents, resulting in electoral losses for several New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates in 2020.

Despite these political setbacks, he stood resolute, underscoring the long-term importance of protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

The President highlighted the significant strides made in the fight against galamsey. Ghana became Africa’s leading gold producer in 2023, achieving a record production of 4 million ounces of gold.

Additionally, his administration oversaw the construction of a 400 kg-capacity gold refinery and concluded discussions for a $450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta, aiming to add value to the country’s mineral wealth.

Akufo-Addo reiterated that the fight against galamsey was not an attack on mining itself but a call for responsible practices that balance resource extraction with environmental preservation.

“The fight against galamsey is not a fight against mining or the extraction of the gold the Almighty has generously endowed us with,” he said. “We owe it to future generations to extract in a manner that protects the environment.”

The President called on all stakeholders, including miners, traditional leaders, and policymakers, to join efforts in safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage.

He stressed that the fight against galamsey is a collective responsibility critical to the nation’s sustainable development.

“Together, we can ensure that our lands, water bodies, and environment are preserved for the generations yet to come,” he concluded.