The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing growing criticism as concerns mount over what many describe as a slowing or stalled fight against illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey. Barely a year into the administration’s tenure, pressure groups, civil society organisations and affected communities are questioning whether the government has abandoned its bold campaign promise to end the destructive activity.
During the 2024 campaign, the NDC pledged a comprehensive, science-driven, community-based approach to tackling galamsey—one that would prioritise environmental protection, job creation and strict enforcement. However, critics argue that the government’s actions on the ground do not match the rhetoric. Several mining hotspots across Ashanti, Eastern and Western North regions continue to experience heavy degradation, with rivers still running brown and farmlands destroyed.
Community leaders in areas along the Offin and Pra Rivers say they are “deeply disappointed” at the lack of visible enforcement. According to them, galamsey operations have not only returned but have expanded in certain enclaves, causing some to question whether political interference is weakening the state’s resolve.
Civil society groups, including the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and the Ghana Environmental Watch, have also raised red flags. They insist that the country cannot afford another cycle of unfulfilled promises. “Ghanaians expected a decisive and transparent framework within the first year. What we see instead is silence and sluggish response,” one environmental advocate lamented.
The situation has sparked a heated debate among policy analysts, some of whom argue that the complexities of the illegal mining economy require time and careful policy rollout. They point to the involvement of foreign nationals, political actors, and powerful local networks as factors that make the problem particularly difficult to tackle.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have seized on the growing frustration, accusing the NDC government of neglecting a matter that threatens both national security and long-term economic stability. They insist that the government has failed to provide regular updates or demonstrate concrete progress in restoring degraded lands and water bodies.
In response, government officials maintain that the administration is committed to fulfilling its pledge. They argue that new regulatory frameworks, community mining reforms and technological monitoring systems are still being finalised, and will soon be rolled out. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says Ghanaians will begin to feel the impact of these interventions in the coming months.
Despite these assurances, tension continues to simmer in affected communities. Farmers who have lost their lands to illegal miners complain that compensation promises remain unfulfilled, while fishermen along polluted river stretches say their livelihoods are collapsing. Many fear that if urgent action is not taken, the environmental damage could become irreversible.
Environmental experts warn that Ghana may soon face a major ecological crisis if the government does not act swiftly. They cite the rapid decline in water quality, deforestation and the spread of dangerous mining chemicals such as mercury and cyanide as signs of a looming disaster.
As calls for accountability intensify, the central question remains: has the NDC government truly stalled in its war against galamsey, or is the nation witnessing the slow start of a complex reform process? For now, Ghanaians are watching closely—and waiting for decisive action to protect the country’s natural future.
