The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has accused the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of worsening Ghana’s illegal mining (galamsey) situation.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Mr. Kodua claimed that despite coming to power on the promise of ending galamsey, the NDC administration has presided over a surge in the menace, with some of its top officials and Members of Parliament allegedly involved in illegal mining activities.
He recalled that under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP extended an invitation to the then-opposition NDC to collaborate on a non-partisan approach to tackle illegal mining. However, he said the NDC declined, insisting that the issue was the responsibility of the government in power.
“Today, the tables have turned. The NDC is in government, with full control of state institutions and the security agencies. Yet, any objective observer can see that the situation has grown worse. The fight against galamsey has completely collapsed under President John Mahama’s leadership,” Mr. Kodua stated.
The NPP General Secretary alleged that several NDC officials, including national and constituency executives, are complicit in illegal mining operations, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to act without political interference.
He also accused the government of failing to empower security agencies to tackle the issue effectively, adding that officers who attempt to clamp down on politically connected illegal miners are often threatened or transferred.
Mr. Kodua reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources, stressing that his party is open to supporting any sincere effort to combat illegal mining.
“If President Mahama is truly serious about fighting galamsey, we are ever ready to join in a genuine, non-partisan national dialogue to end this menace once and for all,” he emphasized.
He, however, expressed disappointment that under the current administration, the fight against galamsey has become highly politicized, leading to the continued destruction of farmlands and water bodies across the country.
Reported by Vincent Kwofie
