A Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has questioned the rationale behind statements that if galamsey is stopped now, the New Patriotic Party will lose votes in areas where the practice is endemic.

According to him, this is the argument some members of the ruling party have being making to justify the President's nonchalant disposition towards calls for a ban on small-scale mining and a stop to illegal mining (galamsey).

He said such reasoning is problematic because it gives an indication of prioritising money over public health. "What is the value of money if you don't have health?" he asked.

Prof Gyampo said this while contributing to discussions on galamsey on the Key Points, October 5.