‘Put fire under our feet’– Mahama welcomes pressure in galamsey fight
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and has welcomed continued pressure from civil society, religious groups, and environmental advocates to keep the government accountable.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Mahama stressed the vital role of public advocacy in ensuring government action.
“I want to assure you that we are determined to win this fight,” the President said, citing ongoing efforts to crack down on galamsey operations that have caused widespread destruction of forests and water bodies across the country.
In a candid admission, Mahama acknowledged the power of civic pressure in driving political will.
“Your contributions, your criticisms, your pressure — putting fire under our feet — we don’t have any problem with that,” he stated.
He encouraged stakeholders to continue their advocacy, describing it as a necessary force that helps keep the government focused and accountable.
“You must continue to do your advocacy to urge us on, to encourage us to win the fight,” he added.
The President’s comments follow renewed calls from civil society and faith-based organisations, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which has urged government to prosecute illegal mining kingpins, establish fast-track courts for environmental crimes, and set clear, measurable benchmarks for progress.
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