By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Member of the National Communications Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hamza Suhuyini, has said that allegations of complicity by presidential staffers in illegal mining operations severely undermined Ghana’s fight against galamsey.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Agenda, Suhuyini recalled that during previous administrations, reports of presidential staffers receiving bribes and facilitating illegal mining transactions eroded public trust and weakened the credibility of anti-galamsey campaigns.
“At one point, we woke up almost daily to allegations of presidential staffers receiving money to allow illegal mining activities to continue. That level of complicity at the very top made it difficult for citizens to believe in government’s commitment,” he noted.
According to him, this situation contributed to growing calls from civil society and advocacy groups for the declaration of a state of emergency, as confidence in government’s handling of the issue had sharply declined.
Suhuyini, however, commended the current Presidency for showing greater willingness to engage stakeholders, including traditional authorities and youth groups, in tackling the menace. He stressed that government must remain vigilant in ensuring that political elites are not shielded from accountability.
“The fight against illegal mining cannot succeed if presidential staffers and those close to power are perceived to be complicit. The Presidency must set the highest standard of integrity and demonstrate zero tolerance for interference in enforcement,” Suhuyini emphasized.
He concluded by calling for stronger transparency and accountability mechanisms to prevent political actors from undermining the rule of law in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
