The National Coordinator for the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, believes many Ghanaians are unhappy with President Mahama’s recent comments on illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
During the President’s encounter with the media on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, he was asked if he would consider declaring a state of emergency to address the environmental impact of galamsey.
The question followed a position taken by the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) in opposition, which called on the Akufo-Addo government to declare a state of emergency to address the canker.
But in response, President Mahama noted that there are many other measures that could be adopted to address the issue, indicating that a state of emergency would be the last resort.
“The only response that disappointed people was the president’s on galamsey. Many came expecting him to declare a state of emergency. But judging from media commentary and public reactions, that was the one response most people were unhappy about,” he said on Channel One TV Thursday, September 11, 2025.
He explained that the President’s response of exploring all other avenues first was brilliant, except that Ghanaians expected him to have come with a stronger position.
“He handled it intelligently. He made it clear that a state of emergency remains an option, but only after exhausting the legal avenues available to him as head of state. And we have not yet exhausted those options—there are still many to pursue,” he stated.
According to him, galamsey is not something that can be fought head-on, but rather requires a gradual process.
“I never believed the fight against galamsey would be an event; it is a process. There are several interventions in place, such as the Blue Water Guards. These show that there is a plan, but the results people expect have not yet materialised,” he added.
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