The political landscape in Ghana is grappling with the persistent and devastating issue of illegal small-scale mining, locally known as “galamsey.” Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the 2024 Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer campaign, has sharply criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for allegedly politicizing the galamsey crisis for electoral gain during their time in opposition. Aboagye contends that this politicization significantly hampered efforts to combat the illegal activity, ultimately contributing to its escalation. He has pledged the NPP’s commitment to supporting genuine efforts to eradicate galamsey, emphasizing a collaborative approach rather than exploiting the issue for political advantage.
Aboagye’s critique centers on the accusation that the NDC, under former President John Dramani Mahama, instrumentalized galamsey for political purposes. He alleges that the NDC offered amnesty and the return of confiscated equipment to individuals arrested and convicted of illegal mining activities, in exchange for their votes. This alleged political interference, Aboagye argues, emboldened illegal miners and undermined the rule of law, contributing to the current surge in galamsey operations. He points to the increasing boldness of illegal miners, who now openly confront and attack security personnel, as evidence of the severity of the problem.
The NPP spokesperson contrasts this alleged politicization by the NDC with the NPP’s commitment to addressing the galamsey menace. He insists that the NPP will not engage in the same political maneuvering, emphasizing a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders to combat the environmental destruction and social consequences caused by illegal mining. Aboagye’s message underscores the urgency of the situation and calls for a unified front against galamsey, prioritizing the nation’s well-being over political point-scoring.
Aboagye further questions the NDC’s current strategy for combating galamsey, particularly President Mahama’s pre-election promise to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against illegal mining. He highlights the apparent contradiction between this promise and the continued deployment of security forces into mining areas, questioning the effectiveness and rationale behind the current approach. Aboagye’s line of questioning suggests skepticism about the NDC’s commitment to using technology to combat galamsey, implying a preference for traditional methods that may expose security personnel to unnecessary risks.
The core of Aboagye’s argument rests on the distinction between the NPP’s purported commitment to genuinely addressing the galamsey crisis and the NDC’s alleged exploitation of the issue for political gain. He paints a picture of the NPP as a responsible steward of the environment, dedicated to combating illegal mining through collaborative efforts and pragmatic solutions. Conversely, he portrays the NDC as having contributed to the problem through political maneuvering and empty promises, ultimately exacerbating the environmental and social damage caused by galamsey.
This exchange highlights the complex interplay between environmental concerns and political dynamics in Ghana. The galamsey issue has become a significant point of contention between the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC, with each side accusing the other of failing to adequately address the problem. The debate underscores the urgency of finding effective solutions to combat illegal mining, balancing environmental protection with the need to address the socio-economic factors that drive individuals to engage in such activities. The ongoing political wrangling, however, raises concerns about whether the issue will be tackled effectively or continue to be exploited for political advantage.
