A senior political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng, has launched a scathing critique of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing the government of shielding illegal miners and failing to take decisive action against galamsey (illegal mining).
He has called on Ghanaians to vote the party out of power in the 2024 general elections.
Dr. Amakye Boateng’s criticism follows comments made by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Middle Belt Campaign Coordinator for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who stated that the NPP has no intention of banning galamsey.
At a campaign event on Friday, September 27, Dr. Afriyie also accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deliberately spreading falsehoods about the government’s stance on mining to tarnish its image ahead of the 2024 elections.
Responding to these remarks in an interview on Hot FM’s Morning Drive, Dr. Amakye Boateng condemned the NPP’s failure to combat galamsey, suggesting that the government’s inability to curb the menace indicates its complicity.
“If the NPP were serious about fighting illegal mining, we would have seen real action by now. Instead, they’ve allowed it to fester, and this shows they are protecting those behind it,” he argued.
He went on to say that galamsey is not only an environmental crisis but also a politically motivated issue. According to Dr. Amakye, the NPP’s reluctance to crack down on illegal mining suggests that certain figures within the government are benefiting from the activity. “The NPP’s claim that they cannot stop galamsey despite holding all the political power tells you everything you need to know—they are complicit. Ghanaians need to send a clear message by voting them out.”
Illegal mining, or galamsey, has been a hot-button issue in Ghana for years, with significant damage caused to the country’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands. Successive governments have promised to tackle the problem, but critics argue that enforcement has been weak and the practice continues unabated, especially in regions rich in gold and other minerals.
Dr. Amakye Boateng’s comments reflect a growing frustration among many Ghanaians who believe the NPP has failed to live up to its 2016 promise to eradicate malaria. Despite several initiatives, including the formation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining and the deployment of a military task force known as “Operation Vanguard,” illegal mining activities continue to devastate communities across the country.
“The NPP should not be given another chance if they are not ready to uphold the law and protect the environment. They are clearly not serious about solving the galamsey issue, and this country cannot afford another four years of destruction,” Dr. Amakye Boateng stated emphatically.