Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Middle Belt Campaign Coordinator for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has made it clear that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has no intention of banning galamsey (illegal mining).
Dr. Afriyie, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Effiduase and Asokore, emphasised that the party remains committed to supporting regulated small-scale and community mining, even in forest areas.
Speaking at a campaign event on Friday, September 27, Dr. Afriyie criticised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of spreading misinformation about the government’s stance on mining to tarnish the NPP’s image.
He claimed that the NDC was deliberately misleading the public regarding the government’s approach to mining, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.
According to Dr. Afriyie, recent research conducted in August showed that the NPP is on track to win all parliamentary seats in mining regions, which he believes has triggered the NDC’s actions.
He accused the opposition of creating confusion in Accra and attempting to frustrate legitimate mining operations.
“The research conducted in August showed that the NPP was winning the seats [in mining regions]. That is why they are reacting the way they are in Accra, causing confusion and claiming they won’t vote,” Dr. Afriyie said. “They are deliberately frustrating those legally mining in forest areas.”
Dr. Afriyie differentiated between legal small-scale and community mining, which the NPP supports, and the illegal activities carried out by foreigners. “Small-scale mining and community mining are different from the illegal mining being done by Togolese nationals. We’re going after the illegal miners, and the operations we’ve started will continue until we arrest all those involved,” he stated.
He further accused the NDC of importing foreigners to engage in illegal mining activities in areas like Offin and Oda, claiming they are attempting to manipulate votes in mining regions by causing disruptions. “They didn’t advise these foreigners properly on how to mine in forest areas. They are doing everything to frustrate our votes in these mining areas because they know we’re winning the seats there,” Dr. Afriyie added.
He reiterated that the NPP would not halt mining operations, particularly legal small-scale and community mining in forests, while vowing to crack down on those involved in illegal activities that harm water bodies. “We will not stop Galamsey today or tomorrow. But there’s a difference between small-scale mining in forest areas and those who are destroying river bodies.”
In a stern warning, he described individuals mining in water bodies as “wicked,” stating that such activities would be stopped. “The voice of the people is the voice of God. Those mining in water bodies are wicked, and God will punish them and their generations,” he remarked.
Dr. Afriyie concluded by criticising the NDC for its alleged attempts to frustrate people involved in legal mining operations and undermine the NPP’s efforts to secure votes in mining areas ahead of the 2024 elections.
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