The Minority Caucus in Parliament has sharply criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), describing it as lacking substance and failing to address critical national issues. Speaking on behalf of the Minority Caucus at a press conference on Monday, March 3, former Minister for Finance Dr Mohammed Amin Adam presented what they termed “The True State of the Nation,” focusing on key concerns, which were the termination of employment under the Mahama administration and the worsening illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
According to them, Mahama’s much-touted 24-hour economy policy has turned into an employment “termination policy” rather than a job creation initiative.
“It is now a notorious fact that, to create vacancies for the purpose of employing NDC youth, the Mahama administration has sacked thousands of young Ghanaians who had been properly employed by the previous administration.’’
Minority Caucus
They further alleged that President Mahama has earned the nickname ‘Terminator 1’ due to his administration’s penchant for mass dismissals.
They emphasized the need for sustainable employment for those who remain jobless. They cited Mahama’s 2016 stance, where he defended the legitimacy of an outgoing government hiring workers and signing contracts up until midnight of January 7.
“Not only are the double standards worrying, but the dismissals will no doubt worsen the unemployment situation which he promised to fix.’’
Minority Caucus
According to them, the thousands of dismissed workers have been “condemned to suffering and hardship” due to Mahama’s actions.
The Galamsey Crisis: From Propaganda to Reality
Another key issue raised at the press conference was the worsening illegal mining (galamsey) crisis. The Minority acknowledged that every administration, including those of Presidents Mills, Mahama, and Akufo-Addo, has struggled with the fight against galamsey.
“Key NDC figures appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee could not substantiate any of the propaganda allegations of the NPP being complicit in the galamsey phenomenon.’’
Minority Caucus
They argued that the reality on the ground now exposes Mahama’s empty accusations, as reports have surfaced indicating that prominent NDC figures have started illegal mining operations in some forests.
Citing a January 19, 2025, edition of the Ghanaian Daily Graphic, the Minority revealed that illegal miners, numbering about 60, breached the AngloGold Ashanti Mines security fence at Cote D in an attempt to access the Deep Decline. According to the report, the illegal miners had been emboldened by a campaign promise made by NDC leadership, assuring them of support to mine in legally acquired concession areas.
The situation, they argued, has deteriorated further, with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources reporting to Parliament on February 19, 2025, that nine out of the nation’s 44 forest reserves have been completely overtaken by illegal miners.
“Our security agents and the Forestry Commission no longer have access to these forest reserves. Since when did thugs involved in illegal mining become more powerful than our well-trained security agents? They insisted that this alarming development highlights the failure of Mahama’s administration to combat the galamsey menace, adding that his SONA offered no concrete measures to tackle the crisis.
Minority Caucus
The Minority Caucus concluded their press conference by declaring that Mahama’s State of the Nation Address was devoid of real solutions to the country’s pressing challenges. They asserted that beyond the rhetoric and political promises, the reality on the ground paints a different picture—one of growing unemployment, economic hardship, and a worsening environmental crisis due to galamsey.
They called on Ghanaians to hold the Mahama administration accountable and demand real solutions rather than political gimmicks. According to them, “The True State of the Nation” is far worse than what Mahama presented, and urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis.
