The United Party’s (UP) Director of Communications, Solomon Owusu, has described Ghana’s Minerals Commission as a crime scene, citing its failure to perform its oversight responsibility in curbing illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
He states that the Commission, as part of its roles, is expected to monitor mining companies’ activities to ensure they safeguard the environment, but corruption has led to this failure.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, on TV3, Owusu indicated that these companies, before being granted mining leases, must present a business plan outlining responsible mining practices and environmental protection, including area reclamation.
However, he explained that these responsibilities have been overlooked, allowing galamsey to ravage Ghana’s environment as a result of corruption. “One of the crime scene institutions we have had is the Minerals Commission,” he stated.
Owusu explained further that, “because of how corrupt they (Minerals Commission) are, they don’t go and monitor. They allow them to do things with impunity and they come and give a beautiful nonsense as a response.”
“If institutions are not going to work, we’ll not get to where we are [supposed to be]. So to me, it’s about time, because, galamsey is an existential threat,” the visibly furious communicator espoused, while giving his take on the government’s performance in the fight against galamsey.
He, however, declined to assess the Mahama administration’s galamsey fight efforts, saying he will reserve that until the water bodies are clean.
He urged those far from galamsey areas to show care and join the fight, since polluted environments affect produce and water consumed nationwide.
Owusu expressed worry about galamsey’s economic toll, noting Ghana’s health system can’t handle pollution-related illnesses emanating from illegal mining.
“Meanwhile, our economic situation cannot afford, our hospitals cannot even support the levels of diseases that come out of this galamsey,” he shared.
No one is persecuting Wontumi; he’s paying for his own ills – Solomon Owusu
