Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified that President John Dramani Mahama never provided a specific timeline for ending illegal mining popularly called “galamsey”.

Speaking on Joy FM on Monday, September 15, Kwakye Ofosu emphasised that any assessment of the President’s performance on the “galamsey” issue should be based on his actual statements and commitments.

“To be fair, if you want to assess a president, you will have to take him by his own words and actions or commitments that he made. President Mahama did not give any timelines to ending ‘galamsey’,” he stated.

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The minister explained that during a recent media encounter on September 10, 2025, President Mahama acknowledged the complexity of the “galamsey” menace, noting that it cannot be eradicated instantly.

“He said at the media encounter that he was not under any illusion that by the wink of a magic wand, ‘galamsey’ will end because it is an insidious problem,” Kwakye Ofosu added.

The minister, however, reassured Ghanaians that the government is fully aware of the public’s genuine concerns regarding the devastating impact of “galamsey” on water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems.

He highlighted the administration’s commitment to implementing sustainable measures, including stronger law enforcement and regulatory frameworks, to combat illegal mining.

However, he stressed that tackling “galamsey” requires collective effort from all Ghanaians.

Kwakye Ofosu called on citizens to support the government’s ongoing interventions and resist political interference that could undermine efforts to curb illegal mining.

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The comment by the minister comes on the back of growing public criticism against the Mahama government over its fight against illegal mining.

Meanwhile, pressure group, FixTheCountry Movement has scheduled September 21 and 22 to hold a vigil and a protest to call on the government to address the “galamsey” menace.

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