A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Eric Kyeh Kwabena Abavare, has described President John Dramani Mahama as a swindler following the president’s recent media engagement on September 10, 2025.

According to Professor Abavare, the president’s response regarding illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, can only be described as deceptive.

During the engagement, President Mahama stated his reluctance to declare a state of emergency to address galamsey, explaining that the nation has not yet exhausted the existing legal frameworks.

He maintained that the current laws provide sufficient authority to combat the issue effectively.

“I’ve been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we’ve not exhausted the powers we even have without a state of emergency,” President Mahama explained.

“We have the opportunity to arrest anybody, to confiscate any such thing. The laws for forest protection and all that give us enough powers to be able to act. Implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort.

"So, for now, let’s exercise all the powers we have and if it becomes necessary for a state of emergency, then we’ll look at it,” he added.

Reacting to these remarks, Professor Abavare expressed his shock, noting that the president’s current stance sharply contrasts with his previous comments while in opposition.

He accused the government of being complicit and suggested that the president’s position was pre-planned, especially since National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, had also previously dismissed the idea of a state of emergency.

Professor Abavare stated, “I was shocked, disappointed, and was wondering what kind of response that was from President Mahama. While in opposition, President Mahama made political capital out of the galamsey issue.

"For someone who promised to declare a state of emergency against galamsey and mounted pressure on the previous government to do the same, and all of a sudden, he has changed his stance, it only points to one thing: deception.”

He continued, “He did a 180-degree turn on his own words. If it were someone who had never been president, I would have pardoned him… but for President Mahama to say a state of emergency is needless is shocking.

"He has swindled Ghanaians. That statement from the president has made a mockery of the deaths of the eight helicopter victims and the late Major Mahama. This man has swindled Ghanaians; he has been dishonest, or both. This is my view of the president in that regard.”

The lecturer told Kwabena Agyapong that the situation is disappointing and that the government must be held accountable. He also revealed that he has begun receiving threats following his comments about the media engagement.