NPP Communications Team member and Lawyer Kwasi Botchway Jnr has argued that the fight against illegal mining continues to expose major gaps in political leadership, insisting that the issue remains central to Ghana’s governance discourse.
Botchway Jnr contended that galamsey played a decisive role in the 7 December 2024 general election, with many voters supporting the NDC based on promises to address the menace decisively. According to him, “Galamsey was on the ballot in the last election.”
He stated that sustained pressure from civil society organisations and advocacy groups elevated the issue into a national emergency and pushed it to the forefront of political debate. He stressed that illegal mining is ultimately a political responsibility that requires decisive executive action.
“It is the government that has the power to stop galamsey. It is the President who has the executive powers to stop galamsey. It is the President who is the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
Kwasi Botchway Jnr
Botchway Jnr recalled campaign assurances by some political figures who suggested that galamsey could be resolved swiftly if there was sufficient political will. He questioned whether those assurances had translated into concrete action under the current administration.
“The point is that President John Dramani Mahama lacks the commitment to fight galamsey with all that he has said.”
Kwasi Botchway Jnr
He further argued that expectations had been created that the problem would be addressed within the first 120 days of a new administration through the use of technological tools, including artificial intelligence. However, he maintained that allegations of involvement by individuals within the political structure continue to undermine confidence in the fight against illegal mining.
Allegations of Weak Commitment in Galamsey Fight Stir Debate
Kwasi Botchway Jnr has also defended the Professor Frimpong-Boateng report, arguing that the current President had nothing to do with the report. He maintained that even if the report had been referenced, it would suggest that the President was not fully abreast of the issues surrounding galamsey.
Botchway Jnr further challenged the government to prosecute individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining if there is evidence linking them to the NPP.
Kwasi Botchway Jnr also clarified that the former Ashanti Regional Minister, Bernard Antwi Boasiako is currently before the court not on charges related to illegal mining. He explained that the case concerns the alleged unauthorised transfer of a mining concession to third parties without approval from the Minerals Commission. He stressed that the matter should not be confused with allegations of involvement in galamsey activities.
Commenting further on the national fight against illegal mining, Botchway Jnr maintained that President John Dramani Mahama has not demonstrated enough commitment to addressing the crisis. He argued that despite public pronouncements and budgetary allocations, there has been little visible progress on the ground.
Botchway Jnr claimed that investigations into certain individuals began on 16 July 2025 following correspondence from the Attorney General to the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
He also disclosed that he had filed a Right to Information request to the Attorney General’s Department on the matter but had yet to receive a response. According to him, he intends to pursue further official follow up to ensure transparency and accountability.
Botchway Jnr also claimed that the President had publicly acknowledged accusations against NDC party members regarding galamsey activities. These people he identified include party executives and district level officials, who have direct involvement in illegal mining.
“Today, we can say that Jubilee House is the headquarters of galamsey because if DCEs are involved in galamsey, they report directly to the President, and the DCEs have been accused of being involved in galamsey.”
Kwasi Botchway Jnr
He argued that the repeated accusations against some local party officials point to weak enforcement and political interference in the fight against illegal mining.
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