Dr. Anthony Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, has issued a stark warning about the role of high-level political interference in perpetuating illegal mining in Ghana, widely known as galamsey.
In an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle, Dr. Aubynn lamented that despite years of policy efforts and public outcry, the galamsey problem persists largely because some politicians—often in senior positions—are themselves involved or protect the operations of illegal miners.
“The worst part of the galamsey crisis is political involvement. When politicians, especially those in leading positions, are engaged or offer protection, it becomes nearly impossible to root the problem out,” Dr. Aubynn stated.
He revealed that his concerns about political interference in illegal mining date back over a decade, referencing articles he authored as early as 2009.
Highlighting a recent example, Dr. Aubynn criticized former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s defense of Akonta Mining—a company accused of illegal operations—despite evidence presented against it.
“This is why the former President’s defense of Akonta Mining raised eyebrows. The facts contradicted his statement, yet political backing remained,” he said.
Dr. Aubynn called for bold, non-partisan efforts to tackle illegal mining, urging the nation to confront the entrenched political interests that continue to sabotage environmental protection and sustainable mining reforms.
