Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School, Prof Godfred Bokpin, has said President John Dramani Mahama cannot fail Ghanaians in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to Prof Bokpin, President John Mahama must take stronger and more decisive action against illegal mining.
He detailed that the strong electoral mandate secured by President Mahama in the 2024 general election reflected the confidence Ghanaians have placed in his leadership and, consequently, the expectations that came with it.
Prof. Bokpin further warned that any further delay in confronting illegal mining would worsen the situation and make it increasingly difficult for the country to reverse the damages.
Prof Bokpin, speaking, is quoted as saying, “The President has done quite well in many other aspects of this economy and society. I recognise that. But the point I’m making is that a good leader, an effective leader, does not choose where he or she wants to succeed. You don’t lead based on convenience”.
“If you look at the election results of 2024, there is so much hope and confidence in President Mahama. You can see it in the results. So, to whom much is given by way of votes, much is also expected,” Prof. Bokpin said.
“So when we say there’s no leadership here, we want to stir up the President to go the extra mile because he cannot fail us. President Mahama cannot fail us,” he stressed.
“Because the more we fail on this matter, the harder it’s going to be to win it. You delay a day, a week, a month, a year, it’s going to be harder to win that fight,” he cautioned.
Prof Bokpin further highlighted that President Mahama must demonstrate leadership on all major national challenges.
“And leadership must respond when it matters most. I hold this position because I believe that the President has shown leadership in certain areas of this economy and the rest of them. But as a leader, you don’t pick and choose where you want to succeed. The whole country is in your hands,” Prof. Bokpin added.
Also, Ken Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has warned that Ghana is getting to a point of no return in the menace of illegal mining, locally called galamsey.
According to Ken Ashigbey, there is a growing boldness of illegal miners and attacks on security personnel that point to a worsening galamsey crisis.
He disclosed that there is evidence that shows that galamsey has spread to some areas in Ghana where it was previously absent about two years ago.
Ken Ashigbey argued that Ghana’s best bet at stopping galamsey is under President John Dramani Mahama but warned that the President would become a lame duck soon, as he would no longer be contesting for office.
Speaking in an interview on ChannelOne TV on August 31, 2026, Ken Ashigbey stated, “There are places where we’re seeing galamsey happen today that was not happening in 2024. The level of impudence that we’re seeing today, we’re not seeing them in 2024. One of the elements that we’ve all considered is the issue of forests, the fact that there’s some good work that has been done.
“But if you look at where we are going now, where now the people are becoming so bold that they can attack eight military men with a colonel, they get police people and they are able to confiscate (their weapons),” he fumed.
He added, “So we are getting to a point of no return, and unfortunately for us, unfortunately, we have a president who does not have another tenure, so our best bet is this current president. Unfortunately, he does not have another two years to deal with it because very soon he will become a lame duck.”
Ken Ashigbey stressed that there is a need for a strong will to ensure that all persons implicated in cases of illegal mining, including politicians and traditional authorities, are dealt with by the laws of the country.
“We need to also deal with the issues that are currently confronting us. So I will not depart from holding the MCEs, DCEs, the chiefs, the police commanders in these communities (accountable),” he said.
@ghnow_ Hon Ewurabena Aubynn has assured her constituents of more donation as Christmas draws near after donating over 500 bags of maize #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon Ewurabena Aubynn donates over 500 bags of maize to food vendors in Ablekuma North #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
