John Mahama Vows To Jail Illegal Miners Despite Previous Amnesty Promises

Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners, locally known as ‘galamseyers,’ that if he wins the 2024 presidential election, his administration will pursue a strict policy of arresting and prosecuting those involved in illegal mining activities. This latest declaration marks a sharp shift from his earlier position, where he had previously pledged to free miners imprisoned for their involvement in the illicit trade.

Speaking during his campaign tour at Aboabo No. 4 in the Dormaa Central Constituency of the Bono Region, Mahama emphasized that his government would spare no one found engaging in galamsey, committing to a total ban on the practice. “Under the new NDC administration, not only will we outlaw galamsey, but we will also arrest and prosecute those engaged in it,” he affirmed.

This recent pronouncement comes as illegal mining continues to dominate discussions about environmental degradation in Ghana. Mahama’s stance on galamsey has, however, sparked public debate, as it contrasts with his earlier pledges to grant amnesty to jailed illegal miners. Ahead of the 2020 general election, Mahama had questioned the fairness of jailing Ghanaians for mining-related offenses, and in multiple public engagements, he promised to free those incarcerated under the current government’s galamsey crackdown.

In June 2024, during a media event in Accra, Mahama reiterated his stance, suggesting that many of those convicted were merely scapegoats for more influential figures within the ruling party and should not have been imprisoned. Yet, his shift to a hardline stance, as reflected in his recent campaign rhetoric, leaves many questioning his consistency and sincerity in addressing the galamsey issue.

Notably, the 2024 NDC manifesto does not explicitly mention the amnesty promise, instead focusing on a pledge to intensify the fight against illegal mining. This omission has fueled further skepticism, particularly among the families of those imprisoned for galamsey, who were hopeful that Mahama would fulfill his earlier promises to release their loved ones. For now, these individuals are left uncertain, as Mahama’s firm statements seem to signal a change in approach, emphasizing enforcement rather than leniency.

As the 2024 election approaches, the former president’s evolving position on galamsey remains a focal point of national discussion, with many awaiting further clarification on how his administration would balance the enforcement of the law with prior commitments made to mining communities.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com