A popular communicator of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hamza Suhuyini, has clarified that President John Dramani Mahama never promised to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, within his first 120 days in office.
According to him, the NDC and John Mahama have always emphasized the need for a “sustainable and holistic approach” to tackling the galamsey menace, rather than a quick fix.
Some people, mainly opposition figures, argue that the NDC’s 2024 manifesto captures a promise to end illegal mining activities with a certain timeframe.
“We never made a promise that we were going to end the galamsey menace in a matter of weeks or three months; we never said so,” Mr. Suhuyini stated.
“President Mahama has consistently maintained that, just as we addressed ‘dumsor’ under his leadership, resolving galamsey requires a well-structured and lasting strategy,” he added.
The statement comes amid ongoing national discussions about the best approach to combat illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s forests and water bodies. The NDC insists that only a long-term, comprehensive strategy, not short-term pledges, can effectively curb the menace.
