Dr. Ken Ashigbey, the Convener for the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has strongly criticized the ongoing surge in illegal mining, or “galamsey,” in Ghana, attributing the environmental crisis, particularly the pollution of the country’s water bodies, to leadership failure.

He specifically pointed to the executive branch, urging President Nana Akufo-Addo to take decisive action against those in positions of authority who have neglected their duties.

In an interview, Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the severe damage caused by illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s natural resources, especially its rivers and forests.

Dr. Ashigbey expressed frustration over the lack of accountability from key government officials, including District and Municipal Chief Executives (DCEs and MCEs), whose jurisdictions have been most affected by the destruction caused by illegal mining.

“The challenge is leadership failure, especially within the executive. So, my suggestion to President Nana Addo is that he should take a lead from what Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II is doing.
“The president should start holding his appointees accountable, especially the DCEs and MCEs whose jurisdictions have these bad waters.”
Dr. Ken Ashigbey, Convener for the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining

Dr. Ashigbey emphasized that the continued tenure of certain regional ministers was baffling, given their responsibilities in managing illegal mining activities within their areas.

He questioned why regional ministers, particularly in areas heavily affected by galamsey such as the Central, Western, and Ashanti regions, remained in office despite the ongoing environmental degradation under their watch.

His comments come as illegal mining continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment, contaminating rivers and destroying large swathes of farmland. The water bodies in regions such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have been especially affected, posing a grave risk to communities reliant on them for drinking water and agricultural purposes.

Dr. Ashigbey also addressed the issue of complicity and incompetence among government officials, urging for immediate consequences. He called for those who are either involved in or enabling illegal mining to face punitive measures, stressing that this is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring effective governance.

Political Parties Criticized for Inaction

The convener did not spare Ghana’s political parties from criticism either. He argued that both major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have failed to adequately address the illegal mining crisis in their manifestos.

According to him, both parties have ignored the severity of the problem, thereby undermining efforts to protect the environment.

“We need the presidential candidates, especially the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia, and the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, to also sign up to the fight against illegal mining so that we get our water bodies clean and remove the machines from the water bodies.”
Dr. Ken Ashigbey, Convener for the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining

In a bold statement, Dr. Ashigbey called on President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency regarding the country’s water bodies and their surrounding environments.

He argued that the current situation is dire and requires urgent and radical measures. By declaring a state of emergency, the President would be able to rally the necessary resources and attention to effectively combat illegal mining and restore the country’s natural resources.

Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental issues, threatening not only water bodies but also livelihoods and the broader ecosystem.

The public’s growing frustration with the apparent inaction from key government figures has led to increased calls for accountability. Dr. Ken Ashigbey’s remarks reflect this sentiment, urging stronger leadership and immediate action from the highest levels of government.