Galamsey Fight: ‘We won’t hand poisoned rivers to our children’

President John Dramani Mahama has once again assured Ghanaians that his administration will bring a halt to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

In a post shared on X on October 3, 2025, following his just-ended stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House on Friday, President Mahama emphasised that he is determined to end galamsey in the country.

He explained that, even though it is his utmost vision to end illegal mining, he still cannot do it alone; hence, Ghanaians should support the initiative against the canker.

“I’m determined to end galamsey, but I need the support of every Ghanaian,” he said.

LIVESTREAMED: President Mahama engages with CSOs on galamsey

President John Dramani Mahama further acknowledged the pressure from CSOs and activists, adding that they should continue keeping the government on its toes.

According to him, his government will ensure that it does not hand over poisoned rivers and destroyed forests to future generations.

“To the CSOs & activists, keep the pressure on. Hold us accountable. Your advocacy is welcome. We won’t hand poisoned rivers & destroyed forests to our children. We assure you that we are determined to win this fight, and your contributions, your criticisms, and your pressure, putting fire under our feet, we don’t have any problem with that. You must continue to do your advocacy. To edge us on, to encourage us to win the fight.

“As I said in the last media encounter, I had no illusions that within seven months I was going to win the fight against galamsey, and I said that it wasn’t going to be an event, it was going to be a process. Mistakes have been made,” he added.

Read the full post below:

JHM/SEA

Watch as addresses beneficiaries of the government’s ‘Adwumawura’ programme