The fight against galamsey, or illegal mining, has once again taken center stage in Ghana’s political discourse as Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), calls for bold and decisive measures to tackle the menace.
Speaking on the escalating environmental destruction caused by galamsey activities, Ahiagbah urged President John Mahama to move beyond rhetoric and implement strong interventions to save the country’s forests and water bodies from total devastation.
Ahiagbah expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, stressing that Ghana had “crossed the Rubicon” and could no longer afford to treat the issue as a political game.
“The politics around galamsey must give way for a national effort to preserve our forests and water bodies for ourselves and posterity.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Galamsey Destruction at Alarming Levels
Ahiagbah referenced comments by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister responsible for government communications, who recently announced that the government would deploy soldiers to permanently guard 44 galamsey hotspots and water bodies.
While describing the move as a step in the right direction, Ahiagbah argued that it was insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis.
“Respectfully, Mr. President, that will not suffice; you must declare a state of emergency, given the widespread devastation and the reported complicity of NDC members and the government in the galamsey menace through its purchase of galamsey gold.”
Richard Ahiagbah
He claimed that some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) were actively involved in illegal mining, exploiting their proximity to political power to destroy the environment with impunity.
“Fish out and punish the NDC members and operatives engaged in galamsey. Such people are the ones reportedly ravaging our forests and water bodies with impunity because of their proximity to power.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Ahiagbah emphasized that ending galamsey required strong political will and urged President Mahama to act decisively, assuring him that Ghanaians would commend bold leadership in the fight against illegal mining.
Government’s Galamsey Gold Purchases Criticized
The NPP Communications Director took strong exception to the government’s decision to buy gold directly from illegal miners, arguing that this policy was worsening the crisis rather than solving it.
He said President Mahama’s justification for buying galamsey gold—on grounds that it was being mined on Ghanaian soil—was fundamentally flawed.
He explained that by purchasing gold from illegal miners, the government was essentially creating a ready market for their operations, thereby incentivizing further destruction of the environment.
“Anything short of arresting galamseyers at the point of sale or the government’s continuous purchase of galamsey gold makes you, Mr. President, through the Goldbod, THE CHIEF PROMOTER of galamsey because you have created a market for their illicit enterprise.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Ahiagbah accused the government of profiting from illegal mining activities while pretending to fight them, describing the so-called war on galamsey as a “ruse” designed to create a false impression of action.
Call for a State of Emergency
Ahiagbah strongly urged President Mahama to declare at least a limited state of emergency covering Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
According to him, this legal measure would empower the military to fully deploy its strategies and resources to confront the illegal miners without facing operational restrictions.
“Declaring this a state of emergency to cover the forests and river bodies will allow the military to use all available strategies and tactics to secure the space.”
Richard Ahiagbah
He warned that without this declaration, the planned deployment of soldiers to the 44 identified galamsey hotspots would be ineffective, as the military’s hands would remain tied by legal and procedural constraints.
Fast-Tracking Galamsey Prosecutions
In addition to military action, Ahiagbah called for reforms to strengthen the legal fight against illegal mining. He urged the President to enforce a measure introduced by former President Akufo-Addo, which sought to fast-track the prosecution of galamsey-related cases.
He went further to propose that all galamsey trials be televised to expose the individuals driving the illegal mining enterprise.
Ahiagbah concluded by appealing to President Mahama to rise above politics and take decisive action that would leave a lasting legacy.
“Mr. President, you have an excellent opportunity to impact Ghana in ways history will never forget. Please consider the widespread criticism of Ghanaians as motivation to do right and not an opportunity to be defensive, combative, and political. Ghana needs you to act decisively and end the galamsey now.”
Richard Ahiagbah
The NPP Communications Director’s remarks reflect growing frustration among sections of the population over the worsening galamsey crisis, which has led to polluted rivers, degraded forests, and destroyed farmlands.
Many Ghanaians now await the government’s next steps to see whether stronger actions will be taken to confront the menace.
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