Minority Slams Mahama's CSO Engagement as 'Publicity Gimmick' in Galamsey Fight

October 6, 2025 

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has launched a scathing critique of President John Mahama's administration, describing the recent engagement with civil society organizations on illegal mining as a calculated publicity stunt designed to mask the government's failure to address the galamsey crisis.

Strong Words from Opposition

In a statement released on Monday, the Minority accused the presidency of attempting to downplay the severity of Ghana's worsening environmental catastrophe through what it termed "a publicity gimmick."

"It is clear that the encounter with the CSOs was a publicity stunt calculated to cover up the Government's failed attempts at dealing with illegal mining," stated Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee.

Environmental Crisis Deepens

The opposition caucus painted a grim picture of the country's environmental situation, citing mounting evidence of ecological devastation:

• Dangerously high turbidity levels in major water bodies
• Severe soil contamination with heavy metals
• Accelerating forest degradation
• Transformation of forest reserves into mining enclaves

The Minority referenced a recent joint report by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) that confirmed heavy metal contamination in food and soil samples across affected areas.

Lack of Political Will Alleged

The statement accused President Mahama's government of lacking the political will necessary to tackle illegal mining decisively. According to the Minority, current administration policies merely rebrand initiatives launched under former President Nana Akufo-Addo without meaningful innovation or enforcement.

"Instead of dealing decisively with this looming crisis, the Government has resorted to publicity gimmicks to sway the minds of unsuspecting Ghanaians from its failures," the caucus charged.

Comparison with Previous Administration

The Minority highlighted several initiatives from the NPP administration as examples of "a coordinated and determined approach," including:

• The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining
• Operation Vanguard deployment
• Establishment of "Red Zones" protecting water bodies

These measures, the opposition argued, represented substantive action that the current government has failed to sustain or build upon.

Call to Action

The statement urged civil society organizations, traditional authorities, and religious leaders to hold the government accountable and demand concrete action beyond rhetoric.

"The fight against illegal mining can only be won through bold, consistent, and effective action. Anything less would be a grave abdication of duty to the people of Ghana and to future generations," the Minority concluded.

Public Health Concerns

The opposition caucus warned that the environmental crisis poses severe implications for public health, with contaminated water sources and agricultural lands threatening the wellbeing of millions of Ghanaians.

The statement comes just days after President Mahama's highly publicized meeting with civil society leaders at the Jubilee House, which was described by the presidency as a platform for "frank and constructive discussions" on finding lasting solutions to the galamsey menace.