According to Mr. Aboagye, the political environment created around the issue of galamsey undermined Nana Akufo-Addo’s attempts to bring the menace under control.

Speaking on JoyNews’s Newsfile, he argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and sections of the public unfairly turned against the former president, which hindered his ability to fully implement his anti-galamsey agenda.

“I think that the way the president and the NDC managed to turn the entire country against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the way they managed to politicise galamsey, is one of the reasons why Akufo-Addo could not complete the fight against galamsey,” Mr Aboagye said.

He stressed that Nana Akufo-Addo remains the only leader who has provided “proof of concept” in tackling illegal mining, pointing to evidence of improved water quality during his first term as president.

“None of them, not Mahama, not Professor Atta Mills, was able to achieve this. It was Nana Addo who showed that our water bodies could clean up,” he noted.

Source: Emmanuel Tetteh

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The former NDC Deputy Organiser criticised the President for prioritising political posturing over taking decisive action to tackle the menace which continues to wreak havoc on the environment.

In a statement, Chief Biney described the President’s call for Mr Mahama to clarify his stance on galamsey as unnecessary and out of touch with the pressing needs of the nation.

“The NDC has already outlined its clear plans to address the galamsey menace in its 2024 manifesto,” he noted.

According to him, Akufo-Addo demanding further clarification from someone without executive power was disingenuous.

“The people of Ghana deserve action, not political posturing,” he stated.

Chief Biney stressed that, it is the current government’s responsibility to stop the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.

He pointed to the alarming levels of pollution in Ghana’s rivers and the widespread displacement of communities, insisting that the issue has escalated under President Akufo-Addo’s watch.

“The Ghanaian people expect their President to govern, not campaign,” Biney said, urging the government to enforce laws and implement effective measures to halt galamsey operations.

He called for decisive leadership to restore the environment and protect future generations, adding that the responsibility lies with those in power now, not with those vying for office in the future.

Chief Biney urged the government to shift focus from campaigning to governing, emphasizing that Ghanaians expect leadership and solutions, not blame games.

This remarks echo a growing sentiment among Ghanaians who are frustrated by the government’s failure to resolve the galamsey crisis. Ghana needs leadership now more than ever. The focus should be on governing, not campaigning,” he concluded.

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Akufo-Addo said the former President cannot have a double stance on the fight against galamsey.

He recalled that in 2020, Mr Mahama promised to grant amnesty to persons jailed because of galamsey.

Speaking to chiefs in North East during his thank you tour on Tuesday, Akufo-Addo noted that “Today, he is saying 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, mister 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. Let us hear from you direct, straight up what do you stand for. We need to know.”

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Mr Hosi has stated that Akufo-Addo has failed Ghanaians despite vowing to put his presidency on the line to fight the menace.

He has therefore called on the President to wake up and take responsibility by putting in place decisive measures in the last days for his tenure to end.

“You have failed us Nana Addo. Wake up to your responsibilities and not for your party gains. Please, do something that will make a lasting legacy for you and your generation. Wake up and show leadership. That is what is required of you President,” he said on Accra-based TV3.

Mr Hosi also stressed the need for stringent enforcement of mining regulations and greater accountability among government officials tasked with overseeing the sector.

He asserted that it will take a concerted effort to tackle galamsey, hence, called on the general public and civil society groups to hold the government accountable and intensify the pressure for effective action.

He added that the fight against galamsey should be a national priority, given its far-reaching consequences on the environment and millions of livelihoods.

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He has therefore urged that just as citizens can be bold in criticising President Akufo-Addo over the fight, the opposition NDC must also be condemned for utterances on the issue.

According to him, politicising the issues will not enhance the fight against the menace which is threatening the environment and water bodies.

“There is a genuine call on the heart of Ghanaians but some politicians also want to take advantage of it but if we make the issue too political, we will not achieve the results.

“We should not make galamsey as the failure of one government because we have been talking about it since the era of Rawlings,” he noted.

In this regard, he has called for concerted efforts and a nationalistic approach, stating nobody is spared from the impact of the devastation.

“I cannot understand why someone will blame Akufo-Addo or Bawumia to fight against galamsey then Mahama and Jane Naana will be on the other side igniting the fire.

“We should be bold enough to criticise Akufo-Addo to fight galamsey but also condemn Mahama and the NDC members encouraging the galamseyers that they will allow them to work,” he stated.

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Acknowledging the desired results have not been achieved yet, Dr Boako believes Akufo-Addo has put up a good fight as someone who vowed to put his presidency on the line.

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Tano North said this on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme Monday.

“I will say that if we’ve ever had a leader who was passionate and committed to the fight against galamsey, it’s Akuf-Addo.

“The efforts may not have yielded the results we want because it is the expectation of all Ghanaians that we will wake up to see that our waterbodies are clear again. Akufo-Addo set up galamstop and several taskforce and that show how serious he was with the fight,” he said.

This is on the back of the two anti-galamsey demonstrations that have taken place in the past two weeks amidst threats of a nationwide strike by Organised Labour.

However, Dr Boako has called for collective action and firm from both citizens and politicians against the menace.

“Those who have taken the laws into their hands to mine in the waterbodies should think about the consequences even if the politicians are not doing anything. What water will we drink after polluting what we have?” he quizzed.

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The UTAG President is uncertain about what the President means by requesting more time to meet their demands.

President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, October 3, 2024 urged organised labour to reconsider its planned strike scheduled for October 10.

He assured them of his commitment to addressing their concerns over illegal mining, which is causing severe environmental damage.

The appeal was made during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 3, with union leaders, where the pressing need for decisive action against illegal mining was a key topic of discussion.

But speaking on Joy FM‘s Top Story today, the UTAG leader quizzed “How much time is more time?”

“What we are asking for can be done in a day or two. So if he is asking for more time, we need to know how much time he is looking for,” he said on Friday.

Meanwhile, experts have warned that a nationwide strike could have severe repercussions, potentially bringing various sectors of the economy to a standstill.

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His appeal comes amidst growing frustration over the government’s inability to curb illegal mining activities that have wreaked havoc on the environment and local communities.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Thursday, October 3, Mr Antwi stressed the detrimental impact of galamsey on the nation’s water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands.

He insisted that the continued degradation of the environment poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of many Ghanaians, particularly those in rural areas dependent on these resources for their survival.

The lawmaker’s remarks resonate with the concerns of many citizens who are increasingly disillusioned with the government’s efforts to address the issue.

Mr Antwi specifically pointed out that certain government officials have not only failed to implement existing policies effectively but have also allowed illegal mining operations to flourish under their watch.

He believes that accountability is crucial and that officials who are not performing their duties should be held responsible for their inaction.

The MP urged the President to consider their dismissal as a necessary step toward restoring public trust and demonstrating a genuine commitment to tackling the galamsey crisis.

“If we know the people doing the illegal mining, if they are party people or political opponents, let’s walk in there and get them arrested and make them face the law. This party will be better served in government than in opposition because of the corrupt or illegal position of certain employees.”

“We are not going to condone it. I am an NPP person and I am not going to sit here and condone an illegality. Something that I have not been part of, why should I come and support or defend it,” he insisted.

The Subin MP’s view contradicts that of other NPP MPs who believe that any attempt to deal with galamsey at this time will cause the party to lose votes in the impending general elections.

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The appeal came during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 3, with union leaders, where the urgent need for decisive action against illegal mining was a central topic of discussion.

Sources from the meeting revealed that Akufo-Addo requested Organised Labour to postpone its strike, asking for additional time to work on their demands.

Organised Labour has expressed frustration over what it perceives as the government’s insufficient commitment to combat illegal mining, which has led to widespread environmental degradation.

The unions believe that urgent measures are necessary to address this critical issue and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.

Analysts have warned that a nationwide strike by Organised Labour could have severe repercussions, potentially bringing various sectors of the economy to a standstill.

The threat of disruption underscores the urgency of the situation and the necessity for a swift resolution.

In light of the ongoing tensions, President Akufo-Addo has promised to invite Organised Labour for another meeting next week to further discuss their demands and explore solutions.

Accra-based Channel One TV reported that, the President’s commitment to dialogue reflects a recognition of the gravity of the situation and the need for collaboration between the government and labour organizations.

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He said this on the Joy News Desk on October 2, while outlining how his government would deal with the menace if he is voted into power on December, 7.

On the show, Mr. Koranteng described the NPP government as incompetent and as a result incapable of managing and controlling the mining sector.

He promised that should he become President of Ghana, illegal mining and all activities related to it would be banned completely.

He said, “This government is so ridiculously incompetent and we cannot forgive them. When somebody goes out to protest too, you have the audacity to arrest them. Hey! Do you understand? The people who should be arrested are the president and his ministers…

He expressed his disapproval of the arrest of protesters who joined the #StopGalamseyNow protest organised by the Democracy Hub, describing it as unfair.

“What is the most valuable item on earth? Not the human being? And you are injecting lethal synthetic pharmaceuticals and they respond because they can’t take it anymore and you arrest them. The nerve you have to arrest them. Release them immediately because you are irresponsible and incompetent. You must be in jail,” he roared, “This is ridiculous. You’re killing us, they respond and you arrest them. Are you out of your mind? This is so upsetting.”

Having expressed his disappointment in the government’s inability to curb the menace, backing calls for a total ban on galamsey by the government.

He said, “We need to without doubt shut down the whole industry, stop, and reset. We need to shut it down because it is killing us. Immediate ban on everything related to galamsey because obviously, this government does not have control. Do they have control?”

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Speaking on September 24, Ken said the president had promised to resign if galamsey persisted under his watch.

However, after almost eight years, the canker still persisted and President Akufo-Addo has completely turned a blind eye to the menace as though it was non-existent.

On the back of this, Ken asked “Why are we not calling on the president to resign? In any serious country, he would have resigned by now.”

He continued that the same President had looked on and let his own people mine in forest reserves.

Ken said it was best if these individuals who are mining in forest reserves are named and shamed. He explained that the level to which the menace has escalated means only the president can end the crisis.

Meanwhile, on September 13, President Akufo-Addo formed a five-member ministerial ad-hoc committee to evaluate the government’s ongoing efforts to combat galamsey.

The committee has been given the responsibility of reviewing the effectiveness of the measures implemented to address the environmental damage caused by illegal mining across the country.

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A former Chairman of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Professor Stephen Adei, has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency on illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’.

Such a move, he said, would give the President emergency powers to decisively deal with the menace, which he described as a “gargantuan environmental degradation” issue.

“Galamsey is a major reflection of political, traditional and security leadership failure in this country,” he said.

Prof Adei was speaking at the 25th anniversary lecture of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Accra on Wednesday [September 4, 2024].

Total destruction 

Prof Adei, who is also a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), said galamsey and its incidental destruction of forests, farmlands, water bodies and other natural resources, had become widespread, throwing people’s health and the future of this country into jeopardy.

He gave an example of how galamsey had totally destroyed River Gimi, the major source of water for Obuasi and other surrounding communities.

“Currently, River Gimi that supplies water to Obuasi is being totally destroyed at its headwaters just a few meters from the Adansihene’s residence in Hwiremoase,” he added.

Prof Adei lauded the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his decisive action in destooling chiefs found to be complicit in galamsey activities.

“I hope the Asantehene in his sterling leadership will not stop at destooling chiefs found to be engaging or supporting galamsey. He must continue and eventually declare Asanteman galamsey free zone,” he added.

Emergency powers 

If President Akufo-Addo was to heed the call by Prof Adei and declare galamsey as a national emergency, then it means the President could take actions to deal with the menace just as he did during the fight against the COVID -19 pandemic.

During the COVID -19 pandemic, the President under emergency powers, restricted the movement of people, shut down certain public spaces such as beaches and restricted public gatherings at funerals, religious activities and parties.

It is not clear what actions the President could take if he declared a national emergency on galamsey, but Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution, allows the President, acting on the advise of the Council of State, to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country.

The President could therefore declare a state of emergency in the galamsey prone areas and take far reaching actions which could directly or indirectly affect the human rights of persons, but would become necessary in dealing with such a national disaster.

Article 31 of the Constitution requires the President to immediately notify Parliament and seek Parliamentary approval for the state of emergency, with Parliament required to either approve the state of emergency or revoke it within 72 hours after being notified.

Comprehensive action 

Prof Adei said after declaring a state of emergency to deal with the menace, the government should ensure those sponsoring or funding galamsey activities would face the full rigor of the law.

Again, he said, there ought to be a comprehensive which will provide alternative livelihoods for unemployed youth engaged in galamsey, or allow them to mine in tandem with the law.

“The young men and women caught in galamsey must be encouraged and trained. Of course, they can go back and engage in lawful mining, but the mining should not be at the expense of the environment,” he said.

Galamsey fight 

The issue of galamsey has become a national public disaster, leading to the destruction of water bodies, forests and farmlands.

Successive governments have failed to deal with the menace

When President Akufo-Addo assumed the reigns of governance in 2017, he served notice that he was prepared to put his Presidency on the line in his avowed quest to fight illegal mining.

With that statement and a charge to deal with galamsey, the government implemented a flurry of initiatives to deal with the menace.

Among them was the passage of the Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), which imposed  a strict sentencing regime for offenders of galamsey.

Under Section 99 of Act 995, a Ghanaian engaged in illegal mining, or one who commands, instigates or employs others to engage in illegal mining commits an offence and is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000) and not more than 15,000 penalty units (GH¢180,000) and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years.

For a foreigner engaged in illegal mining, Act 995 stipulates a fine of not less than 100,000 penalty units (GH¢1.2 million) and not more than 300,000 penalty units (GH¢3.6 million) and a term of imprisonment of not less 20 years and not more than 25 years, or both the fine and the term of imprisonment.

The government also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal Mining and came up with Operation Vanguard, a security task force to deal with the menace.

Failures? 

However, seven years down the line, it seems the plans by the government had failed to have the desired effect, with galamsey activities on the rampant.

There has been accusation of corruption in the fight, and politically exposed persons being involved in galamsey activities, with many civil society organisations accusing the government failing to deal the menace.

With about three months to the general elections,  the issue of galamsey has become a political talking point and a campaign issue, with the two major political parties engaging in the usual blame game politics.

However, while this political spectacle continues, the country continues to suffer the brunt of the effect of illegal mining.

Recently, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) attributed galamsey as part of the reasons for low cocoa  yields, while the Ghana Water Company has also made public how the destruction of water bodies, as a result of galamsey activities, was making it difficult for it to supply the public with water.

Source: Graphic.com

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Mr Gyamfi said illegal mining is threatening access to clean water and poses severe consequences for Ghanaians in the coming years if not addressed.

He accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of misleading both the media and the public with their promises regarding illegal mining, suggesting that Ghanaians were deceived and that the NPP’s intentions have been to carry out a harmful agenda.

Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Dr Clifford Braimah, has warned of a potential severe water crisis if inefficiencies in water treatment are not urgently addressed.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, he expressed concern over the high-water loss during treatment, which is currently between 35% and 50%, far exceeding the acceptable 5% and posing a serious health risk.

Mr Gyamfi said, “What the NPP came to do was to kill, to steal, and to destroy. They had no genuine commitment to the fight against illegal mining, and the flowery talk you heard from President Akufo-Addo about putting the presidency on the line was all a scam. There was no commitment to fight illegal mining in the first place; in fact, there was no fight.”

Mr Gyamfi said that the plan was to remove Ghanaians involved in small-scale mining and let NPP loyalists and government officials take over the illegal mining trade.

He noted that the media, civil society, and the public were deceived into believing the NPP’s promises about addressing illegal mining, and they fell for it.

“That is why they have been able to implement this evil game plan to the letter: because they were not being checked. But we saw through the deception right from the get-go and we told you, we warned that these guys are not committed to the illegal mining fight.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Former Environment Minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has expressed his lack of regret over accepting the appointment in the administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

He emphasised that he would have regretted not taking up the position instead.

Speaking with Omanhene Kwabena Asante on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Thursday, he stated that while the fight against illegal mining was a significant aspect of his job, it constituted only 10 percent of his overall responsibilities.

During his tenure, Prof Frimpong-Boateng highlighted the substantial impact he made in the sector and his satisfaction with his role.

He asserted, “I don’t regret taking up an appointment in the NPP government. I worked tirelessly and made significant transformations. Despite any challenges I may be facing now, I feel proud of myself.”

He also mentioned his recommendation to establish a machine tool center, a computer-equipped facility for designing instruments, to ensure the availability of essential environmental equipment.

However, on May 2023, reports emerged that Prof Frimpong-Boateng, who also served as Chairman of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), was arrested by the OSP (Office of the Special Prosecutor).

The arrest followed an invitation to answer questions regarding suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses involving the dissolved IMCIM. Eventually, he was granted a bail of GHS2 million.

Prior to his arrest, Prof Frimpong-Boateng had authored a revealing report that indicated interference by certain government officials in the efforts to combat illegal mining, which undermined his work.

Expressing his surprise at the treatment he received, he stated, “I have no idea what I have done to deserve this. I was expecting the OSP to invite me based on some complaints I made earlier, not for the accusations I am being dragged into now.”

When asked about the allegations of involvement in illegal mining, the embattled former minister denied any knowledge of the accusations against him.

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