The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has launched a scathing attack on the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the ruling party of hypocrisy in its approach to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s Director of Communications, asserted that the NDC’s stance on the issue has dramatically shifted, describing their behavior as “hypocrisy is staggering.”
Ahiagbah recalled that just a few years ago, galamsey was a major campaign issue for the NDC, with party leaders loudly criticizing the government’s handling of the crisis.
However, he claimed that those same voices have now gone silent despite the continued devastation caused by illegal mining.
“Sammy Gyamfi, From ‘Activist’ to Gold Buyer? In opposition, Sammy Gyamfi held press conferences, shed tears over polluted rivers, and boldly claimed his party would eradicate galamsey within 100 days.”
“Sam George went as far as to promise results in just one week. Fast forward to 2024, and his party is now promoting a gold purchase program that sources gold from galamsey operators.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Ahiagbah contended that the NDC’s current stance directly contradicts their past expressions of outrage.
He questioned the ethical sourcing of the gold in question, arguing that the party’s shift from strong condemnation to apparent endorsement reflects a transition from moral indignation to profit-driven complicity.
According to him, if illegal mining, or galamsey, is truly as reprehensible as the NDC claims, then their actions in supporting its market raise serious concerns.
Additionally, the NPP spokesperson criticized North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for what he described as a failure to follow through on earlier commitments.
Ahiagbah revisited Ablakwa’s 2020 pledge to present contaminated water samples to Parliament as proof of the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
He questioned the absence of these promised samples, framing it as a case of unfulfilled accountability.
Calls For Accountability Amid Growing Crisis
Furthermore, Richard Ahiagbah pointed out that despite the worsening state of Ghana’s rivers—now heavily polluted and choked with toxic sediment—the water samples Hon. Ablakwa once pledged to present remain nowhere to be found.
He suggested that the lawmaker’s passionate declarations may have been nothing more than political grandstanding, crafted for effect rather than genuine accountability.
If the environmental crisis has only intensified, Ahiagbah questioned why Ablakwa’s sense of urgency appears to have faded.
He stressed that Ghanaians deserve more than performative rhetoric; they need real accountability and action.
Beyond his critique of Ablakwa, Ahiagbah also took issue with the broader governmental response to illegal mining.
He pointed to what he perceives as inconsistencies in law enforcement efforts, arguing that the approach has been neither firm nor consistent enough to curb the crisis.
According to him, selective enforcement and a lack of sustained commitment have allowed illegal mining to persist, further endangering the country’s water bodies and ecosystems.
“Revoking the licenses of regulated small-scale miners while illegal galamsey gangs operate without restraint is not just ineffective; it’s scapegoating. We see soldiers burning a few excavators for the cameras, yet Chinese cartels return nightly with replacements.”
Richard Ahiagbah
According to the NPP Communications Director, these actions demonstrate a lack of commitment to genuinely eradicating galamsey, allowing the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources to persist.
Ahiagbah also made a passionate appeal for decisive measures, emphasizing the need for stronger intervention to combat the illegal mining menace. “Where is the state of emergency?” he asked. “It’s time for decisive action!”
The NPP maintained that the consequences of illegal mining extend beyond environmental degradation, as the continued destruction of water bodies threatens the livelihoods of millions and endangers future generations.
The party emhasized that without concrete action, Ghana’s natural resources will continue to suffer irreversible damage.
Ahiagbah’s remarks have reignited the debate over how best to tackle illegal mining and whether political parties are doing enough to address the crisis.
With illegal mining (galamsey) continuing to pose a major challenge, Ghanaians will be paying close attention to how the NDC navigates these criticisms.
The party faces mounting pressure to either defend its current stance or reassess its approach to tackling the issue.
Whether the NDC chooses to respond directly to these concerns or make policy adjustments, the public will be watching closely to see if their actions align with their previous rhetoric on the fight against galamsey.
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