I feel tempted to laugh at how the NDC is struggling to fight galamsey – Miracles Aboagye

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Communications Director for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2024 campaign, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its approach to combating illegal mining (galamsey), suggesting that the party’s current struggles with the issue are self-inflicted.

In a candid assessment, Aboagye stated that he is sometimes tempted to mock the NDC-led government for its inability to effectively tackle galamsey, given that the party dismissed the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s warnings while in opposition.

“We Told Them”: NPP’s Warnings Ignored

Aboagye recalled that during the 2024 election campaign, the NDC, particularly its flagbearer John Mahama, made promises that emboldened illegal miners. He alleged that Mahama publicly criticized the NPP’s crackdown on galamsey, vowing to release arrested miners if elected.

“Sometimes when I wake up and see how this government is struggling with galamsey, I feel like laughing at them because we warned them, and they refused to listen,” Aboagye remarked. “They went to mining communities and promised to legalize illegal mining activities, giving false hope to the youth.”

He argued that such political rhetoric undermined efforts to regulate small-scale mining, making it harder for any administration to enforce sustainable policies.

Politicization of Galamsey Hinders Progress

Aboagye emphasized that the fight against illegal mining will remain ineffective unless it is depoliticized.

“Until we remove politics from galamsey, no matter what structures are put in place, they will fail,” he stated. “The NDC, while in opposition, politicized the issue, and now in government, they are realizing how complex it truly is.”

He accused the NDC of doing very little to curb the menace, despite having criticized the NPP’s approach while in opposition. According to him, the current administration’s inability to make significant progress exposes the hollowness of its previous campaign promises.

A Call for Genuine Solutions

Aboagye urged the government to adopt a more pragmatic and non-partisan strategy to combat illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands.

“This is not about NPP or NDC—it’s about Ghana’s future,” he stressed. “We need a collective, long-term approach that goes beyond political cycles.”

His comments come amid growing public frustration over the resurgence of galamsey activities, despite numerous government interventions, including military task forces and community mining programs.

Conclusion

The NDC’s current struggles with illegal mining highlight the dangers of politicizing critical national issues. As the debate continues, stakeholders are calling for a unified, sustainable strategy to preserve Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.

The galamsey menace remains a pressing challenge, and how the government addresses it will be a major test of its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com