A member of the Upper East Regional Communications Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alfred Awuni, has defended the government’s approach to tackling illegal mining, insisting that the current administration is taking sustainable and concrete steps to address the problem.
His comments follow criticisms from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has accused the government of showing a lack of seriousness in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Awuni dismissed the NPP’s concerns as insincere, arguing that the party has no moral authority to question the government’s efforts given its own record in handling the issue.
“If it’s someone who is neutral — a political party like the CPP or PNC — claiming that we are not doing anything to fight galamsey, some of us may listen. But if it’s the NPP and their people, who are now so vociferous and loud-mouthed about galamsey and its impact, I think serious people shouldn’t listen to them. It’s a hypocritical stance,” he said.
Mr. Awuni further claimed that illegal mining became more widespread under the NPP administration, during which forests and water bodies suffered extensive destruction. He noted that even when the NPP’s own investigative committee, led by Professor Frimpong-Boateng, presented evidence of wrongdoing, the government failed to act on the findings and instead dismissed the committee’s chairman.
Touching on the NDC government’s current strategy, Mr. Awuni said efforts are focused on promoting responsible and regulated mining, rather than imposing an outright ban. He emphasized that the government aims to ensure miners operate within the law, reclaim mined lands, and adopt reforestation and other sustainable practices.
“We have put out a lot of strategies and activities to make sure we curb the menace. We are not saying we will ban galamsey outrightly, but we are promoting what we call responsible mining,” he explained.
His remarks come after President John Dramani Mahama stated that a state of emergency on galamsey would only be declared if recommended by the National Security Council, during a stakeholder engagement at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
