Nana Ohene Ntow, special advisor to independent presidential aspirant Alan Kyerematen, has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s handling of Ghana’s illegal small-scale mining crisis, known locally as “galamsey.”
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points, a popular current affairs program, on September 7, Ohene Ntow argued that the country requires entirely new leadership to address ongoing challenges, including galamsey, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
Ohene Ntow accused President Akufo-Addo of failing to live up to his promises, particularly regarding the fight against illegal mining. For instance, the President had pledged to implement stricter regulations and enforce penalties for violators, but these measures have not been effectively implemented.
“The President has claimed he would put his presidency on the line for this issue, but he has not delivered on that promise.
” This is not meant as an insult but as an observation of his leadership shortcomings,” Ohene Ntow said.
His comments come amid increasing pressure on the government from health sector unions, which have urgently called for a ban on all small-scale mining activities.
In a joint statement, these unions underscored the severe and alarming environmental and public health impacts of galamsey, citing significant reductions in water production due to pollution and silting from mining activities.
The health sector associations, including the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and the Ghana Medical Association, have demanded that the government strengthen regulatory measures and enforce stricter penalties for violators.
They have also called for all political parties to publicly commit to combating illegal and unethical mining practices.
The unions’ statement highlighted a troubling decrease in water production, with the Ghana Water Company reporting an over 60% reduction in the Western Region and 30% in the Central Region. The company attributes these losses to galamsey-induced pollution.
The health unions have urged immediate government action to protect water resources and ensure effective enforcement of mining regulations.
Their demands reflect a palpable and growing public frustration over the inadequacies in addressing Ghana’s galamsey crisis and other governance issues.
