Civil society organisations and Ghanaians have expressed their disappointment with President John Dramani Mahama’s recent comments on illegal mining (galamsey). At a media engagement on September 10, 2025, the President ruled out an immediate state of emergency, insisting that existing laws provided adequate powers to combat galamsey, and that declaring an emergency would only be a last resort.
His remarks drew criticism from environmental advocates such as Daryl Bosu, Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, who argued that the situation on the ground had worsened and that excuses could not replace decisive action. Mr. Bosu recalled that while in opposition, Mr. Mahama himself supported calls for a state of emergency. Yet, today, with the authority to act, his government appeared hesitant.
Meanwhile, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, National Coordinator for the District Roads Improvement Programme, admitted that the President’s response disappointed many Ghanaians. He, however, defended Mahama’s position as thoughtful, stressing that the fight against galamsey is a process rather than an event, citing interventions such as the Blue Water Guards.
Still, public sentiment remains that stronger action is required. Ghanaians expect bold leadership to curb the environmental destruction that continues to threaten Ghana’s rivers, forests and farmlands.
President John Dramani Mahama’s media encounter rekindled hope in many areas of national concern. His posture on education, infrastructure and economic revival reflected that he is determined to restore confidence. However, on the issue of illegal mining galamsey, the President’s words left much to be desired.
The President maintained that the country has not exhausted all legal options in tackling galamsey and, therefore, a state of emergency would be premature. But this position, though cautious, we find it deeply unsatisfying.
For more than a decade, successive governments have promised to end galamsey. Yet, rivers have turned brown, cocoa farms have vanished and once fertile lands are scarred beyond recognition. Today, communities that could be producing food crops for our people are instead wastelands poisoned by mercury and cyanide.
The Chronicle agrees with the civil society groups to expect more. If the previous governments stood up in calling for a state of emergency, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Declaring a state of emergency would not merely be symbolic, it would signal seriousness, mobilise resources and send a strong message to those destroying our environment.
Another troubling aspect is the disbandment of the IGP’s special task force. We find it difficult to understand why the President would disband the unit, instead of reforming its mandate? If the issue was wrongful invasions, the answer should have been verification of permits, not abandonment of enforcement. Which concessions did the task force invade that were truly legitimate? Transparency on this matter is critical.
We must acknowledge that interventions like the Blue Water Guards and other initiatives are steps in the right direction. Yet, the results remain invisible. Forest reserves continue to fall, rivers remain muddy and rural livelihoods are threatened. This is why many Ghanaians found the President’s response disappointing.
So far, the current administration has made commendable strides in other sectors and hope is returning. But on galamsey, hope is fading. We urge the President to match his words with firm action. For if our rivers die, our nation dies with them.
