Expose And Jail Galamsey Politicians: Minority Demands Action From Presidency
Call for accountability: Arrest your own, Minority tells NDC government
The Minority Caucus in Parliament is demanding immediate action against party officials allegedly profiting from illegal mining activities, also known as galamsey.
They insist some District Chief Executives (DCEs) and party operatives are not only aware of the operations but actively protect and benefit from them.
According to the caucus, machines originally meant for road works are now being repurposed by local authorities for galamsey operations, right under the noses of senior government leaders.
They say deflecting blame won’t save Ghana’s forests or rivers.
Goldbod initiative slammed as a ‘monumental scam’
The caucus also tore into the Goldbod initiative, once touted by the government as a solution to illegal gold trade.
Instead of helping, the caucus claims Goldbod has worsened the crisis, enriching a few politically connected individuals and directly sourcing gold from illegal mining sites.
“Goldbod has become a ‘gold bomb’, feeding a greedy few while our rivers die,” the statement declared.
Civil society groups have also raised red flags about the origins of the gold being traded through official channels.
Ghana’s environment is bleeding while leaders act like it’s theatre
According to the Minority, top officials pose for cameras in boots and helmets, but behind the scenes, they issue permits and protect syndicates.
The caucus says the current government, while once critical of past administrations, is now deeply complicit in the illegal mining they once condemned.
“They mocked us then. Now they wear our boots and destroy more than we ever imagined.”
They accuse the President of failing to act even as mining devastates his own hometown of Bole Bamboi, where water bodies like the Yonkamba stream are now polluted.
Double standards and missed opportunities worsen Ghana’s ecological crisis
The Minority cited the President’s budget allocation of GH₵50 million for galamsey fighting—five times what was allocated last year. Yet, there is no significant action on the ground, they say.
They called for the repeal of L.I. 2462, a law they believe is being abused to protect galamsey actors instead of stopping them.
“If the President cannot stop destruction in his own backyard, what hope is there for the nation?” they asked.
Take-home message: Ghana needs more than media stunts and empty promises
The Minority is demanding:
- Arrests and prosecution of DCEs and party members involved in galamsey
- A state of emergency in mining zones under Article 31 of the Constitution
- Repeal of exploitative regulations like L.I. 2462
- Formation of an independent anti-galamsey commission
- Greater powers for the Forestry Commission and Water Resources Commission
Stakeholders like the TUC have also voiced concerns, demanding real leadership and urgent action.
“Protecting the environment should never be a political offence,” the Minority warned.
