The minority in parliament has launched a scathing attack on President John Dramani Mahama’s handling of the illegal mining crisis, accusing his administration of resorting to “publicity gimmicks” instead of demonstrating genuine political will to confront what they describe as a looming national disaster.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, MP for Mampong and Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, the Minority said the government’s recent engagement with civil society groups was a “publicity stunt” aimed at masking its failure to tackle the escalating galamsey menace.
“It is obvious that the galamsey menace keeps worsening by the day. We are, therefore, surprised that amid increasing turbidity levels, browning of our water bodies, and heavy contamination of soils and food crops, the President could look Ghanaians in the eye and tell us he is winning the fight against illegal mining,” the statement read.
The minority pointed to a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which confirmed the severe contamination of Ghana’s lands and water, as evidence of the worsening crisis.
The Akufo-Addo Era vs Mahama’s Approach
The statement contrasted the Mahama administration’s current posture with what it described as the decisive measures implemented under the previous Akufo-Addo government, which included a moratorium on mining, the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Operation Vanguard, Operation Halt II, and extensive regulatory reforms.
Under Akufo-Addo, the government:
- Declared water bodies “red zones” and banned all mining in forest reserves.
- Deployed security operations to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
- Tracked mining equipment through new legislation.
- Introduced mercury-free gold processing technology and revamped community mining schemes.
- Trained thousands of small-scale miners in responsible mining practices.
“These measures helped the then government come to grips with the illegal mining menace,” the Minority stated, accusing the Mahama-led administration of merely renaming existing policies without meaningful action.
“The Situation is Getting Worse by the Day”
The statement painted a grim picture of the current situation: dangerously high turbidity levels in rivers, contaminated food and water damaging vital organs, degraded forests, and unsafe railway lines due to illegal mining activities.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Government of President Mahama has failed to demonstrate the level of resolve required to address the galamsey crisis in a comprehensive and effective manner,” the Minority warned.
Call to Action
The minority called on civil society organisations, the clergy, traditional leaders, and all stakeholders to raise their voices as they did in the past, insisting that propaganda cannot substitute for policy.
“We further urge President Mahama and his government to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate real political will. The fight against illegal mining can only be won through bold, consistent, and effective action. Anything less would be a grave abdication of duty to the people of Ghana and to future generations,” the statement concluded.
Read the full press release here: Minority Caucus PRESS STATEMENT HKAS II
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