News Story (Rewritten from a Policy Accountability and Results-Oriented Governance Angle):
As President John Dramani Mahama prepares to host civil society organisations (CSOs) for a high-level dialogue on illegal mining this Friday, leading policy think tank IMANI Africa has called on the government to move beyond symbolic meetings and commit to measurable actions against the galamsey menace.
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, welcomed the engagement but questioned its potential impact, arguing that the country needs results—not rhetoric.
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News with Sammie Wiafe on Tuesday, September 30, Cudjoe expressed concern that the Jubilee House meeting may amount to little more than a ceremonial “meet and greet,” unless clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and timelines are established.
“We need to give ourselves deadlines and timelines,” he asserted. “If the year ends and there’s no real progress on galamsey, there will be butubutu—a serious problem.”
Cudjoe acknowledged the President’s past campaign emphasis on tackling illegal mining but insisted that it’s time for firm action. He recommended a strategic approach that includes simultaneous security operations at illegal mining hotspots, enforcement of licensing rules, and strict sanctions for unlicensed operators.
While applauding the invitation to civil society, he challenged the presidency to demonstrate its commitment with tangible outcomes. “The president already knows the scale of the crisis,” he noted. “Now is the time to hold the government accountable, not with more talking, but with action and results.”
The high-level meeting, scheduled for 12 noon on October 3, is part of the Mahama administration’s broader efforts to curb the environmental devastation and social consequences caused by illegal mining.
