The National Youth Organiser for the (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has stated that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has failed in the fight against galamsey, which he claims is the reason the minister broke down in tears on national television.
According to Salam Mustapha, the task assigned to the minister is overwhelming, and his inability to tackle the issue has led to emotional despair rather than actionable solutions.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the youth wing of the party on April 22, 2025, Salam Mustapha remarked, "As if this is not enough, we have seen more deterioration in statehood under this new government than any other government in our history. "For the first time in our history, a minister of state has sat on national TV and cried in despair because he cannot handle the job assigned to him. "The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources weeps like a baby on TV because he cannot flush out illegal miners operating in areas designated as non-mining zones." Salam Mustapha further criticized the current government's handling of the galamsey issue, contrasting it with the efforts of former President .
He noted, " put his presidency on the line, and it came at a huge cost to the , as we lost in mining areas due to the dedicated fight against illegal mining. "Today, the very people who were shouting from rooftops and claimed to have all the solutions are now found wanting." , was captured in a viral video shedding tears over the aftermath of mining activities by Akonta Mining Limited.
