Dr. Samuel Afiyie has questioned the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Dramani Mahama’s resolve in tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The senior lecturer at Kumasi Technical University accused the government of showing less passion in addressing the menace compared to when the NDC was in opposition.
“The passion Mahama and the NDC showed against Akufo-Addo on galamsey when they were in opposition is not the same passion they are showing now that they are in government. If they could cry out so loudly then, what has changed today?” Dr. Afiyie asked on Wontumi TV in an interview.
His criticism follows recent comments by President Mahama that he is reluctant to declare a state of emergency in the fight against galamsey because the country has not yet exhausted all available measures.
According to the President, the security agencies have been empowered to confront the challenge, and therefore the nation should rely on them to deal with illegal miners.
“We’ve not exhausted the measures we have. It should be the last resort. For now, let’s exercise the powers we have, and if it becomes necessary for a state of emergency, we have to go to parliament, but for now, we’ve given the security service enough powers to deal with people who are engaged in galamsey,” Mahama told journalists during a media interaction on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
He further stressed that his administration has taken significant steps to safeguard Ghana’s forests, noting that since he assumed office, no mining license has been granted for operations in forest reserves.
He also pointed out that the repeal of LI 2462 is intended to solidify in law what his government has already been practicing in protecting the environment.
“My government is committed to protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and will not allow them to be destroyed,” President Mahama said.
