The Minority in Parliament has dismissed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on illegal mining as a mere “publicity stunt” designed to divert attention from what they describe as his government’s failure to curb the galamsey menace.
President Mahama, on Friday, October 3, met with CSOs to discuss the growing illegal mining crisis. During the meeting, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to tackling the issue but noted that the National Security Council had advised against declaring a state of emergency.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 6, and signed by the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Minority expressed concern over the worsening effects of illegal mining across the country.
They accused the President of downplaying the severe environmental and public health impacts of galamsey, citing increased water turbidity, soil contamination, and destruction of forest reserves.
“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 read.
The Minority further questioned how, despite mounting evidence of environmental degradation, President Mahama could claim his government was making progress in the fight against galamsey.
Referring to a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which confirmed widespread pollution, the Caucus warned of grave implications for Ghana’s food security, water resources, and public health.
The statement contrasted the current administration’s efforts with what the Minority described as a “comprehensive and effective” anti-galamsey strategy implemented under the Akufo-Addo government. Measures from that period, they noted, included:
• The establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM)
• Security operations such as Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt II
• Red zoning of water bodies and forest reserves
• Introduction of mercury-free gold processing technologies (Gold Kacha)
• Formation of Small-Scale Mining Committees in all 83 mining districts
• Deployment of river guards and acquisition of Navy patrol boats
• Implementation of community mining and skills training programmes
According to the Minority, these initiatives have since been neglected, renamed, or weakened under the Mahama administration.
“The government has merely resorted to the rebranding of policies and programmes introduced by the Akufo-Addo government,” the statement said, citing examples such as “Responsible Cooperative Mining” and “Blue Water Guards.”
They accused the Mahama government of lacking the political will to tackle the illegal mining crisis decisively and called on CSOs, traditional authorities, and religious leaders to hold the administration accountable.
“Ghanaians can no longer be subjected to propaganda and publicity gimmicks in place of genuine solutions. The nation requires competent and effective governance in the public interest,” the statement concluded.
The Minority urged President Mahama to demonstrate strong and consistent leadership, stressing that only bold and sustained action could end the galamsey menace and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
Source:Africa Publicity
