Mahama’s galamsey engagement with CSOs a ‘publicity gimmick’

The Minority in Parliament has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on illegal mining, describing it as a “publicity gimmick” intended to deflect public attention from what they call his government’s failure to address the galamsey menace.

President Mahama met with representatives of CSOs on Friday, October 3, assuring that his government remained determined to end illegal mining. However, he revealed that the National Security Council had advised against declaring a state of emergency over the issue.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 6, and signed by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, the Minority expressed grave concern over the worsening state of illegal mining across the country.

They accused the President of downplaying the environmental and public health threats caused by illegal mining, despite widespread reports of rising turbidity levels in major rivers, 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 questioned how, in the face of mounting environmental degradation, President Mahama could “look Ghanaians in the eye” and claim he is winning the fight against illegal mining.

Citing a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Caucus warned of dire implications for Ghana’s food security, water supply, and public health if the situation persists.

The statement contrasted the current administration’s handling of the galamsey crisis with what the Minority described as a “comprehensive and effective” anti-galamsey framework implemented under the Akufo-Addo-led government between 2017 and 2022.

They listed interventions such as:

The establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM)
Security operations under Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt II
Red zoning of water bodies and forest reserves
The introduction of mercury-free gold processing technology (Gold Kacha)
Formation of Small-Scale Mining Committees across 83 mining districts
Deployment of river guards and Navy patrol boats
Launch of community mining schemes and skills training initiatives

According to the Minority, many of these initiatives have either been abandoned or rebranded without meaningful reform under the Mahama administration.

“The government has merely resorted to the renaming of policies and programmes introduced by the Akufo-Addo government,” the statement noted, citing examples such as “Responsible Cooperative Mining” and the “Blue Water Guards.”

The Caucus further accused the government of lacking the political will to decisively confront illegal mining, calling on CSOs, traditional leaders, and the clergy 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,” they asserted.

Urging the President to take decisive steps beyond public engagements, the Minority called for bold and consistent action to end illegal mining once and for all.

“The fight against illegal mining can only be won through bold, consistent, and effective action. Anything less would be a grave abdication of duty to the people of Ghana and to future generations,” the statement concluded.