Communications Minister Sam Nartey George has acknowledged that President John Mahama could do more to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, but insists that the current administration’s commitment surpasses what Ghanaians witnessed under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
He reiterated his long-held belief that galamsey can be eradicated with genuine political will. “Absolutely,” he said when asked if he still stood by his earlier statement that President Akufo-Addo could have ended galamsey in a week.
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“That was seven years, nine months into the Nana Akufo-Addo administration. After multiple anti-galamsey task forces and millions of cedis spent, it was fair to demand action. We didn’t see it,” he stated.
Applying the same standard to President Mahama, who has been in office for nine months, Sam George admitted, “Do I wish I had seen more? Absolutely. I wish it ended today. But in the nine months, I can confidently say that I see a desire and a will to deal with galamsey that didn’t exist in the previous eight years.”
He cited Mahama’s political courage in allowing investigations into two party executives accused of illegal mining, contrasting it with the previous administration, where, he claimed, a regional chairman openly promoted galamsey with tacit presidential endorsement.
Highlighting recent successes under Mahama, Sam George noted military operations that recovered seven out of nine forest reserves previously exploited by illegal miners. He also pointed to an upcoming stakeholder meeting on October 3, bringing together over 30 civil society organisations to develop a national roadmap against galamsey.
Still, the minister stressed that more enforcement is needed. “The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has started fantastically well, but we must not rest on our laurels. We should go all out and win this war, if not for anything, in memory of the eight gallant sons who died in the helicopter crash,” he said.
Addressing claims that he had called for a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas, Sam George denied it, advocating instead for targeted and sustained military operations. “Galamsey remains the biggest existential threat to our nation. It is Ghana’s version of Colombia’s drug cartels. Our armed forces are capable of launching surgical operations to win this war,” he stated.
Concluding, Sam George emphasised the difference between Mahama and his predecessor lies in sincerity: “Have we fixed it? Not yet. But I am confident that before the expiration of President Mahama’s term, we will be in a better place.”
