By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, has called for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s approach to illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. He urged President John Mahama to let the recent helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of soldiers involved in anti-galamsey operations, guide future decisions.
Dr Kissi also criticised the tendency for politics to overshadow safety and the expectation that the president must attend every event. He made the comments during an interview on GBC’s Current Agenda on Saturday, 9 August 2025.
Linking the tragedy to the need for uncompromising security measures, Dr Kissi said: “We cannot compromise on security and safety. These populist approaches to some of these matters need to stop.” He described the loss of experienced personnel as a heavy blow to the nation.
Sharing his personal sorrow, he added: “I weep not just because of the state, but because… listen, how fun it is to come home to your daughter, and how fun it is for a daughter to receive the new fathers. Now they will not have that experience, and it weighs on many of us every day.”
Dr Kissi also addressed the president’s frequent appearances at events, noting: “That puts a strain on things. What Trump faced, that is the same thing the president is facing. The ministers must be put to good use, and the president cannot always be at every event.”
Kissi’s comments underscore the need for a more serious, long-term strategy to combat illegal mining, one that prioritises the safety of those involved and is not swayed by short-term political considerations.
