Dr. Joshua Zaato, a political scientist at the University of Ghana, has challenged the widely held perception that President John Dramani Mahama is a “listening president.” According to Dr. Zaato, the ongoing failure to decisively address illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, contradicts claims of the president’s responsiveness.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, June 21, Dr. Zaato pointed out that despite numerous appeals—including one from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference—to declare a state of emergency over the galamsey menace, the president has yet to act.
“The Ghana Catholic Bishops asked Mahama to declare a state of emergency, but he hasn’t listened,” Dr. Zaato emphasized. “He’s also been urged to repeal the L.I. 2462 that permits mining in forest reserves, but no action has been taken. What kind of ‘listening president’ ignores such critical national appeals?”
Calls for Tougher Action
Dr. Zaato’s remarks were in response to fellow political scientist Professor Ransford Gyampo, who also appeared on the programme and argued that President Mahama had shown responsiveness to public concerns. Prof. Gyampo, who also serves as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, noted that government efforts to tackle galamsey have been visible, though not fully effective.
“While actions are being taken, the menace continues. There are political actors from both the NDC and NPP involved, and they are even sabotaging the work of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the IGP,” Prof. Gyampo said.
He stressed the need for a bipartisan approach and hinted at plans to formally petition President Mahama with constructive suggestions for improving the fight against illegal mining.
Civil Society Sounds the Alarm
Civil society organizations are also stepping up pressure. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on June 19, 2025, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey urged Ghanaians to hold their leaders accountable and defend the country’s fragile environment.
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Coalition member Senyo Hosi lamented the apathy of the public in confronting the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
“They have captured the state—whether it’s NDC or NPP,” Hosi said. “When disaster strikes, many of these politicians will flee. But the water you drink, the air you breathe, will be your problem. We must fight now for our future and our children.”
He suggested that President Mahama’s slow action may be politically calculated, referencing campaign promises he made before returning to office in 2025.
“He made public pronouncements during the election. If we don’t pressure him, nothing will change,” Hosi cautioned.
Urgent Appeal to Repeal L.I. 2462
Meanwhile, the coalition’s convenor, Kenneth Ashigbey, criticized the government’s reluctance to revoke L.I. 2462, the controversial legislative instrument that permits mining in forest reserves.
“We won’t accept half-measures or amendments that benefit a few individuals at the expense of the nation,” Ashigbey declared. “The LI must be repealed with urgency.”
