Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has declared that the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is a challenge far beyond the capacity of any single government, including that of President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking candidly, Blay stated that although the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration promised to end the menace, the reality on the ground remains far more complicated.
“So I want to be honest with you that there is very little that this government can do towards solving galamsey with the way they are going. Previous parties and governments including the NDC couldn’t solve it. Our party couldn’t solve it because gold mining is not today”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
Freddie Blay rejected the idea that his commentary stemmed from political bitterness or a desire to deflect blame from his own party’s failings while in power. He stressed that illegal mining has outlived successive governments, and neither the NDC nor the NPP has found a permanent solution.
He referenced a 1979 national address from a former president to underscore how long the issue has endured. According to Blay, illegal mining is rooted in deep socio-economic dynamics, with individuals even resorting to digging in their backyards using basic tools.
“Even behind your house with hoes and water you can try to look for gold and it may end up destroying the houses and surrounding area – and more so this time round, it’s destroying our water resources and forestry”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
Blay also highlighted that the presence of natural resources like gold naturally attracts external actors. “Foreigners are even coming in because if you have gold, it’s like sugar inviting ants,” he said.
Harsh Realities
He took a direct jab at the NDC’s pre-election rhetoric, particularly their commitment to eradicating galamsey upon assuming office.
“Those who say they want to stop it, particularly this government who said that they will stop it when they come to power, I knew that it was literally impossible”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
As a native of the Western Region, an area heavily affected by gold mining, he acknowledged both the richness of the land and the devastation illegal mining has caused. Despite the challenges, he maintained that the current administration must confront the consequences of its own campaign promises.
“If they don’t (stop it), they must face the music then,” he warned.
Proposals Tried, Challenges Endure
Responding to why more wasn’t done during his party’s time in office, Blay noted that the NPP government did, in fact, consider and attempt numerous strategies.
“Some were saying, ‘let the army go in, give them goggles for the night because the people come there in the night to mine illegally, – put the soldiers and the police there, and stop the importation of those things that they use to dig the gold’”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
Among the proposed interventions were military-led crackdowns, restrictions on mining equipment imports, and harsher penalties for offenders, all of which were tried in the previous administration’s fight against galamsey.
He also touched on controversial suggestions, such as burning excavators, and even described a cabinet discussion in which the state of Ghana’s water bodies was passionately presented.
“The water that people are making noise about was brought even in the cabinet. I remember Professor Boateng came out to say, ‘this is the water, they are spoiling our water, Mr President’”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
Blay revealed that at the time, the president had directed that everything possible be done to address the problem. However, he maintained that the allure of gold, even within families, makes a permanent solution elusive.
Way Forward
Blay called for a multi-stakeholder approach that includes harsher punishments for defiance and training programs for miners, though he expressed skepticism about the impact of such measures on deeply ingrained behaviours.
“With some people, no matter how you train them to grow trees, they will go back and not do it,” he said, admitting that even training might not deter everyone.
In conclusion, he urged national unity over partisanship in confronting the issue.
“Those who used it (galamsey), unfortunately, for elections and propaganda have realized that it was not the best thing to do. Now they have to face it. Let’s all come together and ensure that our environment is safe”
Freddie Blay, Former National Chairman of the NPP
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