The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised alarm over the worsening state of illegal mining (galamsey) under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of failing to curb the menace and instead encouraging its expansion.
The party described described the government’s handling of illegal mining as a betrayal of Ghana’s environmental and economic interests.
“The fight to curb galamsey is challenging, but the lack of commitment from this government has exacerbated the situation, leading to the devastation of many of our forests,” Director of Communication of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah said.
“Today, our forests are populated by recruited militants from Ivory Coast and other regions to protect the galamsayers who, according to media reports, are NDC members,” he added.
The NPP highlighted that as of now, 44 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves have been destroyed by illegal mining activities pointing to specific areas such as the Offin Shelter Belt forest reserve, Keynkeynso and Gyaare forests in Akoasi, the Tano Anwia forest in Aowin, and the Jimira forest reserve.
According to the NPP, the NDC actively campaigned in galamsey-prone areas with an implicit promise to allow mining to continue unchecked.
“The NDC is complicit in the astronomical growth of illegal mining because they campaigned actively in galamsey areas with a coded promise, which translates to allowing the boys to engage in galamsey,” Mr. Ahiagbah alleged.
“Now that they are in power, their members and supporters within the galamsey space have begun to dig in our forests for gold while the government intensifies discussions about combating galamsey without taking meaningful action.”
The NPP also criticized President Mahama for failing to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which governs mining in forest reserves. The party praised the Media Coalition against Galamsey, led by Dr. Ken Ashigbey and Mr. Erastus Asare Donkor, for their relentless advocacy against illegal mining and called for stronger measures, including a complete revocation of L.I. 2462.
The party called on all Ghanaians to actively participate in the fight against illegal mining to safeguard the country’s forests and water bodies for future generations.
“As citizens, we cannot afford to remain indifferent. We urge all Ghanaians to join this fight to protect our environment and water bodies for ourselves and future generations.”
