Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern caution to party members involved in illegal mining, locally termed galamsey.
During an April 19 appearance on The KeyPoints with Alfred Ocansey, Tameklo emphasized that individuals defying the law would face stringent repercussions under a prospective Mahama administration.
Tameklo explicitly stated that NDC members engaging in illegal mining would forfeit party protection and be regarded as adversaries of both former President John Mahama and the party’s core principles. “Let the record reflect this: If you’re an NDC person and you decide to go and do galamsey, you’re on your own. President Mahama would deal with you brutally. Don’t,” he declared. He further labeled such actors as “environmental terrorists,” citing their destruction of ecosystems and erosion of the NDC’s governance ethos.
The legal director dismissed notions that party leadership would intervene on behalf of offenders. “Don’t assume that if something happens, there will be an ‘order from above.’ That order won’t come,” he asserted, referencing former Communications Minister Edward Omane Boamah as an example of officials who would not shield violators. Tameklo urged members to pursue lawful economic opportunities, stressing, “There are legitimate businesses you can do in this government. Don’t become a centipede for President Mahama.”
Illegal mining remains a contentious issue in Ghana, with decades of environmental degradation, polluted water systems, and loss of farmland fueling public outcry. Successive governments have launched crackdowns, though enforcement challenges persist. Tameklo’s remarks signal the NDC’s intent to prioritize accountability, reflecting broader political efforts to align campaign pledges with environmental and legal safeguards ahead of the 2024 elections.
