Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has hailed former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the most dedicated leader in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on JoyNews’s Newsfile on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Dennis Aboagye argued that the politicisation of the galamsey issue, coupled with opposition from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), significantly hindered Akufo-Addo’s ability to fully address the menace, despite his efforts surpassing those of any previous president.
“The way the president and the NDC managed to turn the entire country against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the way they managed to politicise galamsey, is one of the reasons why Akufo-Addo could not complete the fight against galamsey,” he stated.
Read Kwakye Ofosu’s reply to Ghanaians call for accountability on ‘galamsey’
Aboagye asserted that Akufo-Addo’s administration provided a “proof of concept” in tackling illegal mining, citing improved water quality during his first term as evidence of success.
“None of them – not Mahama, not Professor Atta Mills – was able to achieve this. It was Nana Addo who showed that our water bodies could clean up,” he remarked.
He further defended the former president’s record, insisting that Akufo-Addo’s commitment to combating galamsey remains unmatched, despite challenges posed by political opposition and public sentiment.
‘If you don’t fight galamsey, we’ll boot you out’ – GMA tells gov’t
His comment comes on the back of growing calls on the current John Mahama-led government to improve its fight against illegal mining.
According to government critics, the eight-month duration in office is not enough excuse.
GA/EB
Confusion erupts after ‘Igbo king’ is allegedly denied handshake with Otumfuo at Manhyia
I was shot at and nearly killed – Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum recounts escaping death in the line of duty
Will Ghana pass the Anti-Witchcraft Bill? Find out in the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV in this conversation with Amnesty International: