Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP, has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, over his emotional reaction to illegal mining, or galamsey, activities.
In a fierce rebuke, Thompson questioned the credibility of the minister’s tears and took direct aim at the administration’s perceived inaction on forest mining licenses.
“Did I see the minister crying?” He asked. Thompson recounted seeing the minister weep after watching disturbing footage of Akonta Mining’s activities, but dismissed the reaction as unhelpful and symbolic of leadership failure.
He didn’t spare the minister, suggesting that the emotional display could be self-pity rather than concern for the nation. “Maybe he’s feeling sad for himself. Isn’t there mining going on opposite his house or in his backyard in his hometown?”
According to Thompson, public reports suggested galamsey activities were ongoing near the minister’s residence.
Drawing comparisons with past leadership, Thompson condemned the minister for showing emotion in the face of adversity.
“Did we give him the job to come and sit there and cry to us? Show us that he feels sorry for himself? Then he should resign. Because Nana Addo never cried, he was fighting it. Abu Jinapor as Lands Minister never cried. He fought it. He had enemies”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
Thompson declared that galamsey was a battle that required backbone, not sentiment.
“When you’re going to fight galamsey, you will get enemies. You should be ready for that and stop crying. The crocodile tears will not change anything”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
He also referenced past claims made by the current administration during their opposition days, questioning their commitment. “Didn’t they let us know that one week can stop galamsey when they were in opposition?”
Mahama on Forest Mining
Thompson redirected the focus to President John Dramani Mahama, accusing him of remaining silent on a critical environmental issue.
“Why is it so difficult for the president to revoke licenses for mining in the forest? Why is it so difficult for President Mahama to do that? Everybody is talking about it but he seems to be quiet on that. He should come and tell us why it’s so difficult for him”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
According to Thompson, this issue was a major point of opposition during the previous administration, and should have been among the first reforms made.
“Nobody should go and mine in the forest. Now you are in government – that should have been one of the first things you do within your 120 days or your 100 days.
“That was one of the first things you should have signed – that nobody will stop me, I’m revoking all licenses to mine in the forest”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
Thompson also voiced strong opposition to proposals to amend L.I. 2462, calling instead for its complete scrapping. “Amend for what?” He questioned and insisted that President Mahama must act decisively now that he holds the power.
“Now it’s not for Nana Addo to declare a state of emergency, it’s for President Mahama to declare a state of emergency on all the river bodies. What is he doing?”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
Thompson warned that if Mahama cannot deliver, Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang should take over.
Show Leadership
Emphasising that this is not about partisan defence, Thompson underscored the need for results. “It’s for him to show us that he’s a man of his words and he can do the job that has been given to him.”
He recalled the price others paid in fighting galamsey, including his party which did everything it could but still lost the elections because of the campaign the NDC ran against them on that front.
According to Thompson, though galamsey has mainly worsened since 2020, it’s a catastrophe in 2025.
“That is why the minister is crying. It’s not because he’s looking at us but because he’s seen that he has failed. He has failed. Then he comes and sits on TV and cries to us and we should take it because he feels so sorry. He should feel sorry for himself”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
Thompson concluded his rebuke with a call for his resignation.
“If he can’t do the job, he should walk out. The kitchen is too hot for him. He should walk out. Because what we are seeing today is not what they told us when they were in opposition”
Alfred Thompson, Senior Member of the NPP
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