Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has accused former President John Dramani Mahama of being unable to take decisive action against illegal mining (galamsey) due to his political connections with individuals involved in the illegal practice.
In an appearance on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Ahiagbah claimed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC), under Mahama’s leadership, sought and secured support from galamsey operators during the 2020 general elections, which he believes has compromised their ability to address the growing crisis.
“President Mahama is too lenient when it comes to tackling galamsey, and the situation has worsened under his watch. This is largely due to the NDC’s political engagement with galamsey operators during the 2020 campaign,” Ahiagbah said, suggesting that the party’s need for support from these illegal miners has hampered genuine efforts to combat the practice.
Ahiagbah went on to assert that while the government may make strong public statements about fighting galamsey, tangible actions on the ground are lacking. He emphasized that illegal mining continues to escalate, presenting a grave threat to the country’s environment and resources.
“In my view, while public rhetoric is strong, the actual mechanisms to address galamsey are simply not in place. The crisis is growing, and it’s putting our very existence at risk,” Ahiagbah argued, urging for the issue to be tackled without political interference.
Despite acknowledging that galamsey has been a longstanding issue, Ahiagbah insisted that a more decisive, non-political approach was necessary. He criticized the NDC for benefiting from the activities of illegal miners, claiming that the party’s ties to these individuals have made it difficult for Mahama’s administration to take immediate and effective action.
“The fact that galamsey is worsening is because the NDC benefited from it during the 2020 elections, and now they are unable to act with the urgency and resolve required to tackle the issue head-on,” Ahiagbah concluded.
