The 2024 Communications Director of the Dr Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over what he describes as its failure in the fight against illegal mining.

According to him, he is puzzled by claims from some government officials that the administration is now prepared to take drastic measures against the illegal mining menace.

He questioned what the government has accomplished in its seven months in office, pointing out that some of its current officials, while in opposition, claimed that galamsey could be completely eradicated within two weeks.

Place a 3-month freeze on non-industrial gold mining - Kwame Pianim to government

He criticised the government's current posture in light of those past statements.

“The Cabinet ministers including Sam George, my friend Felix, Joyce Bawa were on Twitter saying that if the president wants to stop galamsey, he needs only two weeks. They said no serious president in this country, who truly wants to stop galamsey, would not do it.

“That is why when I come in the morning, and I hear the NDC people saying, ‘we are now going to embark on a ruthless campaign,’ I am confused. What were we doing all this while? For the past seven months, what have you been doing?” he asked, while speaking on News File on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Miracles Aboagye expressed the view that the NDC government, since assuming office, has not accomplished a single thing in the fight against galamsey.

He referenced the previous Akufo-Addo administration, highlighting its achievements in combating galamsey.

According to him, the former president, through various initiatives, oversaw the arrest of individuals and the dismantling of numerous illegal mining sites across the country, achievements he described as unprecedented.

Illegal mining requires multi-sector approach – Prof Kuma

“Were we not here when I came to sit here and I told you that the NDC government has not done a single new thing in the fight against galamsey? Not new, not one, you can't mention one. Mention one new thing, one new strategy that the NDC government has initiated since coming to office in the fight against galamsey,” he added.

He further stated that, “Which president or which government embarked on arresting and attacking galamsey sites than Akufo-Addo? He did it with you. If today there are media people flying drones and moving in galamsey sites, it was an Akufo-Addo initiative together with the media and not an NDC initiative.”

MAG/AE

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: