By Alex Ababio
The Minority in Parliament has launched a scathing attack on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing it of double standards and a lack of seriousness in dealing with the growing menace of illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
In a strongly-worded press release issued Wednesday, July 23, and signed by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, the Minority said the country is facing a “full-blown national emergency” as a result of unchecked galamsey activities.
They accused the government of staging “fancy stunts” for the cameras instead of taking real, tough decisions to halt the destruction of Ghana’s natural environment.
“The government was allocated GHS 50 million in the 2025 budget to combat illegal mining — five times more than the GHS 10 million under the previous NPP administration in 2024 — yet the public has only witnessed token gestures without substantive action,” the statement asserted.
The Minority expressed disappointment over what they described as the government’s failure to honour its campaign promises barely six months into its term, adding that the galamsey situation has only worsened under its watch.
They highlighted the case of Tumtumba in Bole Bamboi—President John Dramani Mahama’s own hometown—where the Yonkamba stream, a key tributary of the Black Volta, has been seriously polluted by illegal mining. This, they argued, reflects the government’s inability to even protect its home turf.
“If the President cannot safeguard natural resources in his own backyard, what hope is there for the rest of the country?” the statement questioned.
The Minority also alleged that the NDC is benefitting politically and personally from illegal mining sites, adding that widespread dissatisfaction is now being voiced not just by the public but also by powerful institutions like the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
According to the statement, both groups have described the government’s approach as “weak and complicit,” with UTAG even threatening to strike unless a state of emergency is declared and corrupt officials are brought to justice.
The Minority further criticised the government’s silence over threats and inaction toward journalists who expose illegal mining. They referenced Erastus Asare Donkor, who has allegedly provided solid evidence of political interference and environmental destruction but has received no support or acknowledgment from the authorities.
Even more alarming, the statement pointed to a rising number of health issues in communities affected by galamsey. “Neurologists are reporting increased gallbladder-related illnesses linked to polluted water. This is no longer solely an environmental issue but a public health crisis,” it warned.
Dismissing the government’s much-touted anti-galamsey strategies such as the “Goldbod” initiative, the Minority called it a “monumental scam,” claiming that gold purchased under the scheme originates from illegal mining sites.
“They wear Wellington boots for cameras and pose with shovels like actors on a movie set,” the statement mocked, accusing officials of prioritising public relations over meaningful action.
The Minority’s demands were clear: “Ghanaians deserve clean water, preserved forests, good health, and genuine leadership. If the NDC cannot provide these, they have no mandate to govern.”
In response, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, assured the public during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Wednesday that the government is addressing the galamsey issue with urgency and commitment to bring lasting solutions.