The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng, has accused the New Patriotic Party of intensifying illegal mining activities in an attempt to create disaffection for the ruling government.
Speaking on Adom FM on April 3, 2025, A Plus, as he is popularly known, supported his claims by indicating how the menace of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, appears to have intensified despite the government’s efforts to combat it.
He further alleged that the situation is being strategically orchestrated by certain individuals to create a negative perception of the Goldbod policy introduced by the government and the president.
“The illegal miners seized the forests to mine immediately the NDC came into power to disgrace President Mahama. The NPP personalities who were involved in illegal mining and failed to desist despite several calls have intentionally intensified the activity. All the galamseyers are NPP members. They are doing that intentionally to cause disaffection for the NDC and the Goldbod policy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has described illegal miners as terrorists, stating that their activities are putting the lives of citizens at risk.
“We can’t allow a few people to make money at the expense of millions of Ghanaians and kill us. We must now begin to see them as dangerous terrorists who are killing us,” he said at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Despite his strong condemnation of illegal mining, the minister reaffirmed the government’s support for responsible small-scale mining, emphasising the importance of ensuring that such activities are conducted in a legal and sustainable manner.
“If anybody wants to do genuine small-scale mining, this government is committed to guiding them, giving them licenses, and guiding them on the path of doing small-scale mining in a more responsible and sustainable manner,” he assured.
