BY: Adams Perpetual
Special Aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ellen Ama Daaku, has criticised President John Mahama’s recent comments on illegal mining, hate speech regulation, and corruption, describing them as inconsistent and uninspiring.
Reacting to the President’s decision to rule out a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining, Madam Daaku argued that such a move raises serious doubts about his commitment to tackling galamsey, which continues to destroy water bodies and farmlands. She stressed that the scale of the crisis requires bold and uncompromising leadership, not hesitation.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show headline segment on September 12, 2025, Madam Daaku insisted that while the government under Dr. Bawumia is committed to both strict enforcement and providing sustainable alternatives for affected communities, the President’s reluctance to even consider a state of emergency could be read as a softer stance on the menace. “Leadership must demonstrate consistency and political will in fighting galamsey,” she emphasized.
On the issue of hate speech, Ellen Ama Daaku questioned the President’s pledge to track the IP addresses of individuals accused of spreading divisive messages online. According to her, before such threats can be taken seriously, the President must first define what he means by hate speech. She accused him of benefiting from similar rhetoric in the past and argued that chasing social media critics should not be a priority at a time when the country faces more pressing challenges.
Turning to corruption, Madam Daaku dismissed the President’s assurances of investigations and prosecutions as mere “talk.” She pointed out that within the first months of his administration, corruption cases involving his party members were dropped under questionable circumstances. “Interrogation is not the same as conviction,” she said, adding that more concrete action was needed. “This corruption matter, just like the galamsey fight, is falling into water.”
The remarks underscore the intensifying national debate around governance, accountability, and the fight against illegal mining, as the country weighs competing narratives from the ruling government and the opposition.
