President John Dramani Mahama has extended an invitation to major Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to the Jubilee House for a high-level engagement on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon, will bring together government officials and civil society leaders to deliberate on lasting solutions to the environmental and social crisis caused by galamsey.
Sharing his views, the Upper East Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Ayinbisa, described the engagement as an important platform for the government to update stakeholders on measures taken to address the menace.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Ayinbisa expressed mixed feelings about the initiative. He acknowledged that the meeting provides an opportunity for transparency, accountability, and the generation of new ideas to tackle the worsening crisis.
“It’s good that we engage such people to brief them on how far we have come, and also put on record the things you have done—maybe even share the results of those efforts,” he stated.
However, he raised concerns about the conduct of the meeting. According to him, some CSOs, many of whom have been vocal in demanding stronger measures—including the possible declaration of a state of emergency—could soften their stance after the engagement.
“My worry has to do with how the meeting is going to be conducted, and my fear is that some key stakeholders might come home worse than they went. By worse, I mean the positions they previously held regarding this supposedly relentless fight against galamsey might change. They might begin to shift,” he cautioned.
He added: “There are some CSOs who are calling for the declaration of a state of emergency. When they meet the president, and the president tries to convince them with what he’s done, some of them may shift their positions.”
Mr. Ayinbisa reiterated that while the government continues to claim it is taking steps to address the crisis, the reality on the ground—particularly the destruction of water bodies—tells a different story. He stressed that CSOs must remain firm on their principles and ensure that the government takes concrete, measurable actions.
“The point I’m making is that they should not go into that meeting, come back, and begin to shift their positions. They should insist on their principles. Whatever they said they wanted the government to do, they should hold firm to that,” he emphasized.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
