Private legal practitioner Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers has issued a scathing critique of President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to the fight against illegal small-scale mining, widely known as galamsey.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Brako-Powers questioned the government’s sincerity and strategy, warning that the president’s legacy after 2028 would be shaped by how he tackles the escalating environmental crisis.
“John Dramani Mahama’s pathetic handling of galamsey will define his legacy after 2028. If he’s genuinely committed to this fight, as he touted on campaign tours in the heat of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, Ghanaians would be given clear timelines to end this menace that is becoming a national disaster,” he wrote.
Brako-Powers expressed disbelief over the administration’s decision to deploy unarmed civilians under the newly introduced Water Guard initiative, describing the move as careless and illogical.
“What is Water Guard in God’s name? I’m shocked that the first thing any serious government will do is to train and deploy unarmed civilians into territories dominated by heavily armed and dangerous people. Something is wrong with how our leaders think – both in opposition and government,” he said.
According to him, the solution to ending galamsey lies not in cosmetic interventions but in genuine political will and decisive leadership.
He argued that if the president truly wanted to bring the crisis under control, he could act immediately.
“Mahama can end galamsey today if he’s truly committed to that. I don’t see this government winning the fight because I don’t see any serious commitment.
When I hear government appointees talk about the issue, I see INSINCERITY, DISHONESTY, and FANTASTIC LIES,” he charged.
Calling on the nation’s youth to take a stand, Brako-Powers urged a collective awakening to the long-term impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s future.
“The youth must rise! The youth must wise up! This is not funny anymore. This is the only HOME we have. Let’s make it better!” he concluded.
