Dr Ashigbey quizzes Mahama, AG on why only Akonta Mining is target in galamsey fight

Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Ken Ashigbey, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama, and the Attorney General over the status of cases involving some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are allegedly implicated in illegal mining activities.

Speaking during the president's engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on October 3, 2025, Dr Ashigbey asserted that the government may be engaged in selective enforcement.

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He raised concern that only Akonta Mining, which is affiliated with New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, was mentioned, questioning why no updates were provided on other politically exposed persons.

“We believe that there is some political will that has been demonstrated but the elephant in the room was not mentioned. You heard the Attorney General talk only about Akonta mining. The Attorney General has referred some politically exposed persons to EOCO but we've not heard anything about that.

“There are some politically exposed persons that we, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, have petitioned you about and we've not heard anything about that. There are some chiefs that are complicit in it,” he said.

The coalition, among other things, demanded a detailed response from the government on its plans to tackle galamsey, including whether it intends to declare a state of emergency, among other measures.

“Our ask is that, given the unprecedented crisis, we ask you, His Excellency, to clearly tell your granular definition of success in the fight against galamsey. Also share with us very definitive roadmap that would include key milestones and timelines and how we're going to get there,” he asked.

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Dr Ashigbey added, “ … You also tell us what benchmark would compel you to invoke the state of emergency which you term is your last resort. We believe that the state of emergency is critical to carrying out some of the things that the minister has spoken about to deal with the ecocidal genocide that is being perpetuated against all of us as Ghanaians. We also ask that the fast-track court being mentioned, timelines be put to them.”

MAG/AE

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