The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has issued a scathing rebuke of the ruling NDC government, accusing it of failing to curb the illegal mining menace (galamsey) despite its pre-election promises.
In a press release dated July 23, 2025, the caucus highlighted the rapid deterioration of Ghana’s forests and water bodies, citing rampant galamsey activities in President’s hometown, Bole Bamboi, as evidence of governmental hypocrisy. The statement noted that despite a GHC 50 million budget allocation—five times the previous year’s sum—the NDC has delivered only token gestures, with no tangible results. The Minority further alleged that NDC operatives are now leading galamsey operations, shielding perpetrators, and manipulating local systems for personal gain.
Civil Society and Unions Demand Action
The release echoed growing frustration among civil society groups, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), which have condemned the government’s inaction. UTAG has issued an ultimatum, threatening industrial action if the NDC fails to declare a state of emergency, prosecute complicit officials, and enforce anti-galamsey laws. The caucus also criticized the silencing of media and civil society voices, noting that journalists like Erastus Asare Donkor risk their lives to expose state-backed galamsey operations while facing government indifference. The Minority accused the NDC of diverting public resources, such as DRIP machinery, to support illegal mining—a blatant abuse of power.
A Call for Accountability and Leadership
Labeling galamsey a “moral emergency,” the Minority challenged the government to prove its commitment by taking decisive action rather than relying on “photo ops and press releases.” The statement underscored the crisis’s far-reaching consequences, including public health risks linked to contaminated water and rising gallbladder diseases in mining-affected areas. The caucus urged Ghanaians to hold the NDC accountable, warning that failure to act would irreversibly damage Ghana’s environment and future. The release concluded with a stark message: “If the NDC cannot deliver clean water, preserved forests, and effective leadership, they have no business being in power.”
