The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of contributing to the alarming increase in illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana. According to him, the NDC actively campaigned in galamsey-prone areas with veiled promises to allow illegal mining activities if elected, a strategy he claims has emboldened NDC members and supporters to exploit the country’s forest reserves.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Mr. Ahiagbah criticized the NDC government’s approach to the galamsey menace. He indicated that while the NDC publicly discusses efforts to combat illegal mining, it had failed to implement meaningful measures to address the issue. This lack of action, he noted, had led to the unchecked destruction of Ghana’s forests, with illegal miners, reportedly including NDC supporters, ravaging 44 out of 288 forest reserves nationwide.
He further alleged that militant groups from Ivory Coast and other regions had been recruited to provide armed protection for illegal miners operating in Ghana’s forests. He cited specific cases, including the Offin Shelter Belt forest reserve, where illegal miners recently attacked and injured members of the Forestry Commission’s rapid response team. Forest reserves in the Birim North district, including Keynkeynso and Gyaare forests in Akoasi, as well as the Tano Anwia, Asenyano, and Jimira reserves, have also reportedly been taken over by galamsey operators.
Unprecedented
The NPP Director of Communicatins called on the government to marshal all available resources to reclaim control of the affected areas. He urged the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits regulated mining in forest reserves, arguing that a total ban was necessary to protect Ghana’s forests.
In this regard, Mr. Ahiagbah commended the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, led by Dr. Ken Ashigbey and journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, as well as civil society organizations, for their ongoing efforts to address the crisis.
He also criticized President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as inconsistency on the issue of mining in forest reserves. He noted that during the election campaign, Mahama promised to repeal L.I. 2462 but has since suggested amending the law instead, a move Mr.Ahiagbah dismissed as insufficient given the extent of the crisis.
“Amending the instrument will not suffice, considering the rate at which our forests are being attacked with armed protection from outside sources. A complete repeal of the law is necessary to ensure a total ban on mining in forests,” Ahiagbah stressed.
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He further claimed that the current galamsey crisis mirrors the state of affairs under President Mahama’s previous tenure and has only worsened since he returned to power on January 7. According to him, NDC members engaged in galamsey now feel emboldened due to perceived leniency from the President and the party, stemming from campaign promises.
He further urged Ghanaians to actively participate in efforts to protect the environment and water bodies. “As citizens, we cannot afford to remain indifferent. We must all join the fight to safeguard our environment for ourselves and future generations,” he appealed.
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