Former National Chairman of NPP, Freddie Blay
A former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has stated that the John Dramani Mahama-led government cannot win the fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview on GH One TV and monitored by GhanaWeb on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, he argued that the complex social dynamics of galamsey makes it difficult to be eradicated.
“There is very little this government can do towards addressing the issue of galamsey the way they are going,” he stated.
Freddie Blay further acknowledged that under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, efforts to combat the menace were also unsuccessful.
“We (NPP) tried; we discussed it in Cabinet. There were suggestions to use the army, equip them with night goggles, stop the importation of excavators. But the problem persisted,” he explained.
Freddy Blay stressed the need for a unified national approach to tackle the menace.
“Sanitise the sector, make it harder to operate illegally, especially near rivers and forests. Be firm on punishments. Train those involved, even though some may still revert. This is a national problem and needs all of us to talk about it, not just for elections or propaganda,” he added.
Galamsey continues to pose a threat to the environment, water bodies, forest reserves and livelihoods despite efforts by successive governments to combat it.
JKB/AE
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