Professor Godfred Bokpin is an economist
Renowned economist Professor, Godfred Bokpin, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s stance on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, saying the president’s approach lacks urgency.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on September 13, 2025, Professor Bokpin expressed disappointment with the President’s position that government has not yet exhausted all options and therefore will not declare a state of emergency.
He argued that the government’s inaction is driven by personal and political interests, describing it as “greed” and “evil,” warning that such neglect could consume both perpetrators and innocent citizens.
Government moves to register small-scale miners to tackle illegal mining
“We are not attaching the level of urgency in fighting this illegal mining simply because of personal interest, political interest, self-interest. This is greed. This is evil that will consume others and oneself. How should we put this without coming across as being disrespectful? I am afraid the President is going the same way that former President Akufo-Addo went and lost our respect,” he said.
Professor Bokpin therefore called on the Trade Union Congress (TUC), religious bodies, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to rise up and speak out to save the country.
He clarified that he was not advocating for a revolution, but for a strong collective voice to pressure the government.
‘Repealing L.I. 2462 better than declaring state of emergency on galamsey’ – GFL
Drawing on a biblical proverb about “the fathers eating sour grapes,” Professor Bokpin warned that Ghana is repeating past mistakes where the actions of one generation harm future ones.
He passionately declared that anyone buying gold from Ghana is purchasing “blood gold” and “the organs of innocent people.”
“Anyone buying gold from Ghana, you are buying blood. This is blood gold. You are buying organs of innocent people. People are born without part of their organs. How many people should die? Where should we get to before we say that we should trigger the last resort, which is the state of emergency? I’m afraid, I’m disappointed. Mr President, I believe that you have a good heart. If you want to leave a legacy, your legacy should last in the next 10, 50, 60 years,” he fumed.
Professor Bokpin appealed to President Mahama to reflect on his legacy, citing Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who made unpopular decisions for the sake of future generations.
He urged the President to “sit up” and take decisive action, warning, “We don’t want to lose our respect for you… Let’s not tempt ourselves to the point where we have to disrespect you.”
VPO/MA
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