The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the government for what it describes as a disheartening betrayal of its promise to confront illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, with urgency.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC administration of abandoning its bold campaign pledge to impose a state of emergency in order to tackle the growing menace of illegal mining. "The government's inaction on illegal mining is not just disappointing, it is a betrayal.
While in opposition, the NDC loudly declared that if elected, they would impose a state of emergency to confront galamsey head-on," Afenyo-Markin said.
He lamented that, 120 days into the new administration's tenure, not only has the promised state of emergency failed to materialise, but there has also been a complete lack of urgency from a government that once made the issue a national priority. "Illegal mining continues to devastate our river, poisons our lands, and affects communities.
