In a fiery and impassioned open letter, Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to intensify efforts to eradicate illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” in Ghana.
Prof. Gyampo, a well-known political scientist and vocal advocate against ‘galamsey’, highlighted the growing concern over the devastating effects of illegal mining on the country’s water bodies, environment, and communities.
“As our President, I call on you to remember the presidential oath you took when you were being sworn in as President of Ghana.
“Fighting illegal mining and urging your MPs to provide quality representation to the people, would rather help your party’s electoral fortunes.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
He emphasizes that the fight against illegal mining should not be seen as a political move but as an effort to safeguard the environment and the well-being of Ghanaians.
According to Prof. Gyampo, illegal mining poses a grave threat to the country’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies, which are being polluted at alarming rates due to unregulated mining activities.
Prof. Gyampo dismissed the idea that tackling the galamsey menace would harm the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances in future elections, particularly in the upcoming 2024 polls.
Instead, he argued that addressing the issue would restore public confidence and leave a lasting legacy for the administration, especially when combined with the government’s flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative.
One of the central points of Prof. Gyampo’s letter is his challenge to a prevailing political belief within the NPP: that efforts to curb illegal mining were responsible for the party’s poor performance in the 2020 elections.
He categorically rejected this notion, calling it a “palpable lie” and urging the President to review empirical data on the election results.
Prof. Gyampo suggested that President Akufo-Addo consult his Director of Research, Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, to analyze data from the constituencies most affected by illegal mining.
“You would see that, your initial efforts in fighting illegal mining, never resulted in the abysmal performance of your party in 2020. Rather, the incompetence of your MP Aspirants in the areas, did. The data show that in many of such places, you received more votes than your MP Aspirants.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
“The simple question is, why were you more popular in the areas where you were fighting illegal mining than your MP Aspirants?” Prof. Gyampo asked. He argued that it was not the crackdown on illegal mining that hurt the party’s fortunes but rather the incompetence of some parliamentary candidates.
Urgency of the Fight: A Call for Immediate Action
Professor Gyampo stressed that the call for action against illegal mining is not a recent development, nor is it politically motivated in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
He recalled that many have been advocating for stronger measures against illegal mining for years, but these calls have not been met with the necessary urgency.
“Illegal mining predates your regime but unfortunately, it is in the twilight of your regime that its devastating impact has been more noticed and felt. That’s why we are all fiery in our demand that the menace be tackled now.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
Prof. Gyampo’s letter also underscored the severe environmental and health consequences of illegal mining, which he described as a national crisis that has reached unprecedented levels during Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
He warned that the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and natural resources is leading to long-term health complications for the country’s citizens.
“We are of the firm belief and conviction that human life and health transcend political power and the paltry proceeds of mining,” Prof. Gyampo wrote, adding that the call for action is driven by a genuine concern for the well-being of Ghanaians rather than any political agenda.
In his view, addressing illegal mining is not just an environmental issue but a moral imperative. He criticized those who have dismissed the movement against galamsey as politically motivated, noting that many citizens have consistently raised the alarm for years without receiving adequate attention from the government.
He described the timing of the current outcry, close to the 2024 elections, as a last-ditch effort to compel action before it is too late.
Prof. Gyampo also touched on a recent diplomatic incident that he believes should serve as a wake-up call to the President. He referred to a public rebuke by Côte d’Ivoire’s President, Alassane Ouattara, regarding the environmental damage caused by illegal mining in Ghana.
Prof. Gyampo described this as an embarrassing moment for the country, likening it to the proverbial saying, “oson bo f3m a, aboa biara bo no bi” to wit, “when the elephant falls, every animal hits it,” emphasizing that Ghana should never have reached such a point of international shame.
Hope for Genuine Action
Despite the current challenges, Prof. Gyampo acknowledged recent steps taken by the government, including the deployment of military personnel to combat illegal miners and the proposal to withdraw the Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2462) that permits mining in protected areas.
However, he expressed skepticism about the sincerity and long-term effectiveness of these moves, calling for sustained action and tangible results.
“If these are sincere and candid moves, let them be sustained and let their outcomes be noticed in the next couple of days, and we would applaud you,” Gyampo wrote. He stressed the importance of accountability and warned that temporary efforts would not be enough to quell public discontent.
Throughout his letter, Prof. Gyampo made it clear that he and others who have taken a firm stance against illegal mining are doing so out of a deep sense of duty to protect the country’s future.
He rejected the attacks he has faced, including being labeled partisan or politically motivated, as typical of “infant democracies” where critical voices are often misunderstood or maligned.
“Under your regime, would it be too much for me to also ask that we grow and mature in our thoughts, in our reactions, and in the way we perceive those who keep leaders on their toes?” Prof. Gyampo questioned, challenging the government to embrace accountability and foster a more mature democratic culture.
Professor Ransford Gyampo’s open letter to President Akufo-Addo is a powerful call to action, urging the government to take decisive and sustained steps to end the scourge of illegal mining.
As the 2024 elections approach, Prof. Gyampo’s challenge to the President is a reminder that leadership is about making difficult choices that prioritize the long-term well-being of the nation over short-term political gains.