The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has come under heavy criticism from the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, who has accused the party of a hypocritical and disastrous approach to illegal mining (galamsey).
He stressed the GH¢50 million allocated in the 2025 budget for combating galamsey, a fivefold increase from the previous year under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and argued that despite this allocation, galamsey is worse than ever under the current NDC administration, which promised to end the crisis.
“Ghana is bleeding from the effects of a clueless, hypocritical, and deceptive government, which promised to end the galamsey crisis as soon as they were voted into office. Yet, just six months into the NDC government’s tenure, galamsey is worse than ever,” Hon. Ampratwum-Sarpong declared.
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The MP alleged that illegal mining operations are flourishing with direct political protection. He cited alarming reports from President John Mahama’s hometown of Bole Bamboi, specifically in Tumtumba, where the Yonkamba stream, a crucial tributary of the Black Volta, has been severely contaminated. “If the President cannot safeguard the natural resources of his backyard, what hope is there for the rest of the country?” he questioned.
Accusations of shielding officials from accountability were also leveled against the government. Hon. Ampratwum-Sarpong claimed that ‘NDC operatives, from the grassroots to high-ranking officials, are boldly leading the galamsey charge.’
The MP lauded the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) for their vocal condemnation of the worsening environmental degradation. He stated, “TUC didn’t mince words – they spoke for the contaminated rivers, the dying forests, and the countless communities whose livelihoods are being buried under the greed of galamsey.”
He also emphasized UTAG’s ultimatum, which demands a declaration of a state of emergency in mining areas, the repeal of LI 2462, prosecution of complicit officials, and strict enforcement of existing mining laws, threatening a nationwide strike if these demands are not met. “This is no longer a political debate – it is a moral emergency,” the MP stressed.
Hon. Ampratwum-Sarpong expressed concern over the apparent silence of previously outspoken advocates and the media under the NDC government, suggesting growing censorship and pressure on journalists to suppress stories about environmental degradation.
He cited a specific instance in Suaman, where the District Chief Executive (DCE) is allegedly directly overseeing the use of state-procured road equipment for illegal mining, describing it as “impunity! It is a disgraceful abuse of public trust.”
The government’s Goldbod initiative also faced severe criticism, with the MP labeling it a monumental scam that is directly fueling the illegal gold trade. Goldbod has become goldbomb… civil society organisations have raised the alarm that a significant portion of the gold being procured is sourced directly from galamsey sites,” he stated.
Hon. Ampratwum-Sarpong urged the NDC to halt the fancy names and stunts and just deal with galamsey. He emphasized that Ghanaians deserve clean water, preserved forests, good health, and effective leadership, asserting that if the NDC cannot deliver these, they have no business being in power.