Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has slammed the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) over its handling of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, describing it as a “disappointing and unpardonable betrayal.”
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Afenyo-Markin said the NDC administration’s actions starkly contrast with its campaign promises to tackle galamsey with urgency, accusing the government of failing to impose a state of emergency as pledged.
He expressed concern over the continued environmental destruction in mining communities.
“Illegal mining continues to devastate our rivers, poison our lands, and affect communities,” he opined.
The Minority Leader lamented that the promised state of emergency has been replaced by silence and inaction, with the sector minister merely expressing sympathy on national television.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to permanently ban mining in the country’s forest reserves, announcing plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act of 2003.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday, May 7, about his administration’s progress in the first 120 days, President Mahama outlined a comprehensive strategy to overhaul the mining sector. This includes regulatory reforms, strengthened law enforcement, and land reclamation efforts.
“We’ve taken decisive action through a five-point strategy to sanitise the mining sector,” President Mahama said.
“Seven out of nine reserves have been reclaimed, and illegal miners have been flushed out.”
A legislative instrument, L.I. 2462, was presented to Parliament on March 20, 2025, to amend the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations.
This amendment removes the president’s discretionary power to permit mining in forest reserves.
President Mahama pledged to go further by amending the Minerals and Mining Act itself.
“I plan to amend the Act to completely prohibit mining in forest reserves, effectively, meticulously, legally, and entirely banning mining in our forest reserves,” he promised.
