Dr. Tony Aidoo, a respected statesman and former Head of the Policy Evaluation and Oversight Unit under President John Evans Atta Mills, is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to seize the moment and prove the National Democratic Congress (NDC) can break with the past by decisively addressing illegal mining—known locally as galamsey.
In a passionate interview on Joy News on Thursday, July 17, Dr. Aidoo framed the fight against galamsey not just as a policy issue, but a test of political integrity and leadership. According to him, President Mahama and the NDC have a historic opportunity to win lasting trust by confronting one of Ghana’s most persistent challenges.
“This is about credibility,” Dr. Aidoo said. “The NDC promised to tackle galamsey. If we don’t show bold and visible action, we risk repeating the same disillusionment that cost the previous administration its moral authority.”
Rather than focusing solely on political consequences, Dr. Aidoo emphasized the broader national interest. He warned that the ongoing environmental devastation caused by illegal mining—polluted rivers, ruined farmlands, and displaced communities—must be brought to an end to safeguard Ghana’s future.
He was clear that the failure of the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to act decisively on galamsey should serve as a cautionary tale, not an excuse. “Akufo-Addo’s government made promises and failed to act. That cannot be the NDC’s story. If Mahama repeats those mistakes, it will be a betrayal of the people’s mandate.”
While acknowledging initiatives such as the Blue Water Guards and the GoldBoard Taskforce as promising interventions, Dr. Aidoo insisted that more urgent and concrete steps were needed to dismantle the galamsey networks.
“With the political capital this government holds and the goodwill of the people, six months is enough to make visible progress,” he argued. “There’s no time for hesitation.”
Dr. Aidoo’s comments come at a time when public expectations are high for the NDC’s return to power. He urged the Mahama-led administration to act not for political survival, but for the sake of the country’s ecological and social stability.
“This is Mahama’s chance to lead differently—to govern with integrity and enforce the law,” Dr. Aidoo concluded. “Ghanaians will not tolerate empty promises again.”
