President John Dramani Mahama has stated categorically that he is not a beneficiary of illegal mining activities nor is he interested in seeing them continue.

The President emphasised that he has no direct involvement in illegal mining (galamsey) and remains fully committed to the national fight against the menace.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, 2025, President Mahama expressed optimism that, with the support of Ghanaians, the fight against galamsey would be won.

He urged civil society organizations (CSOs) and advocates to continue holding the government accountable and to demand transparency in the process.

Reaffirming his personal commitment to the cause, President Mahama stated, “We will continue to fight and I believe we will win the fight against galamsey. I don’t gain anything from galamsey. I am not personally involved in galamsey and I have no interest in it continuing. You can be sure that we are all on the same side.”

Responding to calls for a declaration of a state of emergency over illegal mining, the President acknowledged that although he holds the constitutional power to do so, such an action must be based on advice from the National Security Council.

“Yes, I have the power to do it,” President Mahama said. “But the President acts not only on his authority but also on the advice of the National Security Council.

"As of now, the Council believes we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency. The day they advise me otherwise that we now need a state of emergency, I will not hesitate to declare it.”