President Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated his determination to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey, even at the cost of his political standing.
During his thank-you tour in the Northeast Region on Tuesday, October 15, the President emphasized his willingness to take significant political risks to address the pressing issue.
Speaking to local chiefs, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the impact of galamsey on his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly during the last election. He revealed that the NPP lost several seats in constituencies heavily affected by illegal mining, largely due to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigning against his anti-galamsey policies.
“This galamsey matter has become a major issue in Ghana today. In the last election, the NPP performed poorly in the country’s mining districts. The NDC presidential candidate and his party went around these areas, telling people that they would reverse the policy of stopping galamsey if they came to power and grant amnesty to those imprisoned for galamsey offences,” the President explained.
Akufo-Addo reminded the audience of his earlier commitment to risk his presidency in the fight against galamsey, reaffirming that he was prepared to face political consequences to curb the illegal practice. “When I said I was putting my presidency on the line, I meant it. I was ready to take the political risk to deal with this galamsey phenomenon. As a result, the NPP lost many seats in the mining districts, especially in the Western Region, including almost losing Tarkwa,” he added.
The President’s remarks highlight the complexity of balancing political interests with the need for sustainable solutions to the environmental and social challenges posed by galamsey. Despite the political fallout, Akufo-Addo underscored the importance of continuing the fight against illegal mining.
He called on all stakeholders to approach the galamsey issue without partisan bias, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to tackle the problem. By working together, Akufo-Addo believes that Ghana can develop more effective strategies to mitigate the devastating impact of galamsey on the country’s environment and communities.
“We must set aside political differences and focus on finding lasting solutions to this crisis,” he urged, stressing that the fight against galamsey is a national responsibility that requires unity and cooperation.