Former Chief Executive Officer of CalBank, Frank Adu Jr., has issued a passionate and uncompromising call to President John Dramani Mahama to take bold and ruthless action against corruption and illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that Ghana’s survival hinges on decisive leadership in these two areas.
In a frank and wide-ranging statement, Mr Adu identified corruption and a broken political system as the twin evils derailing Ghana’s progress and called on President Mahama to send a strong signal to Ghanaians and the international community by holding not only past appointees but members of his own administration accountable.
According to Mr Adu, while corruption can never be entirely eradicated, a serious and consistent crackdown that ensures accountability and transparency can significantly curtail its destructive impact.
“If President Mahama is able to drastically reduce corruption—because you can never do away with it—but he’s able to deal with it to a large extent and hold people accountable, not just the past government, but his own appointees, he will send the right signal.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
Mr Adu underscored the debilitating effects of procurement fraud, which he described as one of the most lethal forms of corruption in Ghana.
He recounted a disturbing personal encounter during his tenure as CalBank CEO in which a client secured $3 million in financing for a government contract, only for the payment to balloon to $25 million due to what was labelled a “variation.”
“That’s an eight-fold increase. There’s no finance minister or president good enough to sustain a system like that,” he said, adding that such instances are far from isolated and remain pervasive today.
“No amount of IMF support or competent financial governance can solve this problem if procurement fraud is allowed to continue unchecked.
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
He urged President Mahama to institute strong measures against such practices if he intends to leave behind a legacy of reform and institutional integrity.
Galamsey’s Fight
In an equally impassioned critique of the country’s failure to effectively address illegal mining, Frank Adu lambasted successive governments—including the current administration—for offering only lip service to the galamsey menace.
He described the devastation caused by galamsey as “insane,” questioning how any rational society could allow the destruction of its own water bodies in the name of profit.
“I’ve been speaking about galamsey for years. The water that you drink, you pollute. Our forefathers founded settlements near rivers. I’m from Kyebi and Tafo. The Birim River is sacred to us. Today, you cannot drink from the Birim.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
Frank Adu, a member of the Coalition Against Galamsey led by Ken Ashigbey and journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, praised their resilience but noted that the group continues to face significant resistance from those in power.
He condemned what he described as the state’s lackadaisical attitude toward the crisis, noting that the situation has become a breeding ground for criminal and even terrorist activity.
“The thing about galamsey now is that it’s becoming an incubator for terrorist gangs. They’re using heavy and sophisticated equipment and weapons. This is no longer just an environmental issue; it’s a national security threat. If we are not careful, we’ll breed our own Boko Haram in our forests.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
Frank Adu called for the declaration of a state of emergency to combat galamsey, emphasizing that the current approach is inadequate.
He criticised the common tactic of burning seized mining equipment, particularly the locally manufactured chanfangs, as ineffective.
“The people running these machines don’t have the capital to buy them. We know the big men behind this—chiefs, politicians, businessmen. Until we go to the head, we’re not fighting this thing.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
The former banker recounted a private conversation with a respected Ghanaian elder who asked what he would do if President Mahama put him in charge of the anti-galamsey fight, noting that his answer was blunt and unapologetic.
“In the first week, I will arrest—legally or illegally—any known member of society behind galamsey. I will take the risk of being sued for wrongful arrest. Because this is about survival, not politics.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
He dismissed any attempts to shield powerful individuals with political connections or traditional authority and insisted that justice must be applied uniformly.
Referring to a specific case involving an MP from Aowin, Mr Adu expressed frustration that despite a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, no visible action has been taken. “We’re still waiting. And I’m not talking politics here,” he said.
Frank Adu further criticised the police response to attacks on Forestry Commission officers attempting to enforce the law in galamsey zones, describing such impunity as evidence that Ghana has lost control of its forests.
“If you can block roads and shoot at Forestry officials, and your punishment is for the IGP to change the commanders so someone else can also go and make money, then we are doomed.”
Frank Adu Jr., Former CEO of Calbank
The respected former banker concluded by acknowledging the complexity of the galamsey problem but insisted that the solution is simple if there is political will. “The fight against galamsey is complex, but it can be dealt with if we really want to deal with it,” he urged.
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