Minority Accuses President Mahama of Publicity Gimmick in Galamsey Fight — Says government has only rebranded Akufo-Addo’s initiatives

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of staging what it describes as a “publicity gimmick” in his recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

According to the Caucus, the President’s interaction with selected CSOs was a calculated attempt to downplay the seriousness of the galamsey menace and to mask what it terms as the government’s failed efforts in addressing the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities.

In a statement issued in Accra, the Minority expressed disappointment that despite the deteriorating state of the country’s water bodies, farmlands and forests, the President continues to insist that his administration is “winning the fight” against galamsey.

“It is clear that the encounter with the CSOs was a publicity stunt calculated to cover up the Government’s failed attempts at dealing with illegal mining,” the statement said.

Galamsey Situation Worsening

The Minority cited a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which highlighted high levels of mercury and heavy metal contamination in water bodies and soils in mining areas.

It said the increasing turbidity levels in major rivers, the browning of water bodies, and the wanton destruction of forests and farmlands were evidence that illegal mining continues unabated across the country.

“Instead of dealing decisively with this looming crisis, as promised when in opposition, the government has resorted to publicity gimmicks to sway the minds of unsuspecting Ghanaians,” the Minority stated.

The Caucus also accused the government of lacking the political will to fight illegal mining, adding that it has only resorted to renaming existing policies and programmes introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Citing Akufo-Addo’s Record

The statement recalled that when the Akufo-Addo administration assumed office in 2017, it took bold steps to tackle the galamsey menace, which had reached alarming levels at the time.

Among the initiatives listed were the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), the launch of Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt II, and the introduction of legal reforms through amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) to impose stiffer penalties on offenders.

The Akufo-Addo government, the Minority added, also partnered with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, to train 4,000 small-scale miners in responsible and environmentally sound mining practices.

Additionally, speedboats were procured for the Ghana Navy to patrol river bodies, while river guards were trained to support anti-galamsey operations. The government also established a Control Room at the Minerals Commission to monitor mining equipment under the Tracking of Earthmoving and Mining Equipment Regulations (L.I. 2404).

Policy and Livelihood Initiatives

The Minority said that beyond law enforcement, several policy and livelihood programmes were rolled out by the Akufo-Addo government to promote sustainable small-scale mining and provide alternative employment.

These included:

• The revamping of the Community Mining Scheme;
• Introduction of mercury-free gold processing technology (Gold Kacha);
• Digitalisation of the licensing process for small-scale miners;
• Decentralisation of the Minerals Commission’s operations through new regional and district offices; and
• The introduction of the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP).

The Caucus alleged that these initiatives have only been rebranded under new names such as the Responsible Cooperative Mining Programme and the Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP), without any notable improvement in outcomes.

Call for Concrete Action

The Minority urged the Mahama administration to demonstrate genuine commitment and political will in addressing illegal mining, warning that the continued destruction of the environment could have dire consequences for future generations.

“Ghanaians deserve a government that matches words with action. The time for cosmetic interventions is over,” the statement concluded.