A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Communications Team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

She argued that although tackling illegal mining is difficult, the current administration should not expect sympathy or leniency from the public because the previous Akufo-Addo administration received similar criticism over the same challenge.

Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Friday, August 7, Ama Daaku said the President had already acknowledged that some members of his government were involved in illegal mining, making it imperative to act against them.

“You did not give him the grace. You did not give him the grace. So, sir, we are not giving you grace. We have to fight this. If there’s any president who has lost because of that, I’m saying it’s President Mahama,” she said.

The NPP communicator argued that the continued involvement of government officials in illegal mining undermines efforts to combat the menace and weakens public confidence in the government’s commitment to protecting the environment.

She further questioned why some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would allegedly issue receipts to illegal miners in exchange for money instead of enforcing the law.

“I still do not understand how an MCE thinks it is okay to give receipts to illegal miners and collect money from them,” she stated.

Ama Daaku urged the President to act swiftly against appointees and individuals within his administration who are allegedly engaged in illegal mining.

She emphasized that strong enforcement is necessary to curb the increasing environmental destruction caused by galamsey.