Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of enabling illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, alleging that some party officials and government functionaries are involved in the practice while authorities appear to be taking action against other miners.
Mr Aboagye argued that the fight against illegal mining was being undermined by what he described as selective enforcement of the law, insisting that the actions of some individuals associated with the governing party were creating resentment among communities affected by the government’s anti-galamsey operations.
Responding to the killing of some six persons following a clash between community members and the government’s anti-galamey task force, NAIMOS, he maintained that the political leadership of the NDC could not distance itself from the activities of individuals allegedly engaged in illegal mining, particularly when videos had emerged purportedly showing some party officials making statements in support of galamsey activities.
“There is no pretence here. The kingpins of galamsey are back in government. I keep saying it, and I have said it several times. I have always proven it. The NDC is the biggest enabler of galamsey in this country,” he stated.
He accused the government of failing to confront the problem consistently, arguing that while security personnel were deployed to clamp down on illegal mining activities in some communities, other operations allegedly continued in areas where individuals linked to the governing party were believed to be involved.
According to him, illegal mining activities were still taking place along major routes and in communities stretching from Osino and Konongo in the Asante Akim area towards Kumasi.
He questioned the apparent inconsistency in the government’s approach, claiming that people were being subjected to police operations and other enforcement measures while illegal mining continued in other locations.
“As we speak this morning, Osino, Konongo, Asante Akyem, all the way to Kumasi, people are mining,” he alleged.
He warned that selective enforcement could have serious consequences for public confidence in the country’s institutions.
“In a society where the people don’t feel justice is prevailing, in a society where the people feel there is selective justice, they will revolt,” he cautioned.
“These people, before they came to office, gave us a roadmap. It is still in their manifesto, and it is still on their campaign videos. They said, ‘Vote for me, and when we come, these are the things we will do.’ Which ones have they done?” he questioned.
“Today in Ghana, galamsey is worse than it was in 2024. Everywhere you go,” he claimed.