President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, even at the risk of his presidency. Speaking during his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Northeast Region on Tuesday, October 15, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the political risks he has taken to address the issue, noting that his efforts to combat galamsey have been met with severe criticism since he first vowed to take action in 2017.
The president acknowledged that his fight against galamsey has not been easy and has come at a political cost. He explained that his determination to stop the illegal mining operations stems from a deep sense of responsibility and a promise to protect the country’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies and forests, which have been severely impacted by the destructive activities of illegal miners.
“I put my presidency on the line in 2017 when I said I was going to fight galamsey,” Akufo-Addo said, emphasizing his dedication to seeing through the fight against illegal mining, regardless of the political consequences. He added that he remains bound by his word and is prepared to face whatever challenges may arise as a result of his stance on this pressing national issue.
Despite his commitment, the president expressed concern about the outcome of the 2020 general election, particularly in mining regions, where his New Patriotic Party (NPP) performed poorly. Akufo-Addo attributed this decline in support to propaganda spread by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama. He explained that Mahama and the NDC had gone around the mining districts, particularly in the Western Region, promising to reverse the policies aimed at halting galamsey if they were elected into power.
“In the last election [2020], in the mining districts of the country, the NPP did very badly, largely because the NDC presidential candidate and the party had gone around the mining areas and said that the policy I was implementing of trying to stop galamsey would be reversed when he comes to power,” the president stated. He further noted that the NDC promised to grant amnesty to individuals who had been imprisoned for galamsey-related offences, which contributed to the NPP’s loss of key areas in the mining districts.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the NPP’s poor performance in these areas was a direct result of the misinformation spread by the NDC, which convinced many voters that a change in government would lead to a relaxation of the strict policies aimed at curbing illegal mining. He cited the Western Region as a particularly significant example, where the NPP nearly lost ground, including in key mining towns such as Tarkwa.
Reflecting on the impact of his galamsey policies on the election results, Akufo-Addo reiterated his willingness to take political risks to address the issue. “That is what I meant when I said I’m putting my presidency on the line,” he explained, emphasizing that he was fully aware of the potential political fallout from his decision to tackle illegal mining but felt it was a necessary step to protect the country’s future.
The president also took the opportunity to challenge John Dramani Mahama to clarify his position on the issue of galamsey. He called out the NDC leader for making contradictory statements on the matter, accusing him of sending mixed messages to the Ghanaian public. Akufo-Addo questioned Mahama’s commitment to enforcing the law on illegal mining, given his previous comments that appeared to suggest he would be lenient on those involved in galamsey if he returned to power.
“Today, he [Mahama] said that, no, he doesn’t believe in jail, that he’s against galamsey, and he will enforce the law. So once again, we have to ask ourselves, Mr. JM, where do you stand? What are you telling the people of Ghana? Because every time you speak, you speak from one corner of your mouth, and you speak from another corner of your mouth,” the president said.
Akufo-Addo’s remarks underscore the importance of the galamsey issue in Ghana’s political landscape. Illegal mining has long been a source of concern due to its devastating effects on the environment, particularly on rivers and forests that serve as vital resources for local communities. The president’s administration has implemented a series of measures aimed at curbing galamsey, including the deployment of security forces to crack down on illegal mining operations and the introduction of more stringent regulations in the mining sector.
However, the fight against galamsey has been met with resistance from some quarters, particularly from those who benefit from the illegal activities. The issue has also become a focal point in the country’s political discourse, with opposing parties offering differing approaches to addressing the problem.
As Ghana heads into the 2024 general election, the issue of galamsey is likely to remain a key point of debate between the NPP and the NDC. President Akufo-Addo’s firm stance on the matter, coupled with his willingness to risk political capital to see through the fight against illegal mining, sets the stage for a critical discussion on the future of Ghana’s natural resources and the long-term sustainability of the country’s environment.
In the face of mounting pressure, Akufo-Addo remains resolute in his commitment to ending galamsey, urging Ghanaians to support his efforts to protect the nation’s environment for future generations. Whether this stance will be enough to secure electoral support in mining regions remains to be seen, but the president has made it clear that his dedication to this cause is unwavering, even if it comes at a political cost.
