The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has expressed its dissatisfaction with President John Dramani Mahama’s handling of the ongoing illegal mining crisis, labelling his remarks during Wednesday’s Presidential Media Encounter as “uninspiring” and failing to capture the urgency of the environmental emergency confronting the country.
In a statement delivered at the Jubilee House on September 10, President Mahama defended his administration’s choice not to declare a state of emergency in the battle against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
He contended that the current laws already empower the government sufficiently to tackle the issue, asserting that a state of emergency should be considered a “last resort”.
“We have the opportunity to arrest anybody, to confiscate any such thing. The laws for forest protection and all that give us enough powers to be able to act,” the President said.
However, in a press release issued on Thursday, September 11, the GCAG voiced its profound disappointment with the President’s stance, accusing him of minimising the severity of what they termed “unprecedented environmental terrorism”.
“The President’s statement did not convey the urgency required in the fight to rid this country of environmental terrorism,” the coalition stated.
“His posture downplays a crisis that has polluted over 60% of waterbodies with heavy metals, displaced thousands of farmers, and devastated forest reserves.”
The coalition also rebutted the President’s claim that police forces are struggling to differentiate between legal and illegal miners, describing the withdrawal of the IGP’s men as “misplaced”.
While acknowledging the launch of the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme for Small-Scale Miners (NAELP, often referred to as NAIMOS in public discussions), the GCAG raised concerns about whether it has been sufficiently resourced to deliver a meaningful impact.
Furthermore, the coalition has taken a stand against the President’s claim that alternatives need to be offered before addressing illegal mining.
They labelled this stance as “justifying and emboldening illegality” at a time when Ghana is facing significant challenges, including threats to its cocoa exports, long-term health implications, and increasing environmental degradation.
“This is not the leadership expected for a country facing environmental suicide… We are disappointed. This government is failing us,” the statement concluded.
The GCAG also expressed concern over the government’s disregard for calls to implement a targeted state of emergency, highlighting that circumstances have deteriorated since President Mahama himself called for such measures while in opposition.
They pointed to recent findings from the Ghana Water Company Limited, which disclosed that turbidity levels at the Kwanyarko Water Treatment Plant had soared to an alarming 32,000 NTU, necessitating the plant’s closure, a decision backed by the Central Regional Minister.
Meanwhile, the coalition has scheduled a Comprehensive Media Briefing for Monday, September 15, 2025, at the International Press Centre, where it plans to further clarify its position and outline proposed actions.
