Former Senior Presidential Aide and veteran NDC stalwart, Dr Tony Aidoo, has warned that if President John Mahama fails to eradicate illegal mining (galamsey) within six months, Ghanaians will be disappointed and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) risks losing the 2028 elections.

He said the prolonged delay in addressing galamsey threatens both the environment and public health.

Dr Aidoo explained that galamsey is slowly killing Ghanaians by contaminating water sources and food with dangerous metals, causing fear and insecurity in communities. “If you are drinking water, you are scared. The food you eat, you are scared whether it is contaminated by metals,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for action.

He criticised the previous government under former President Akufo-Addo for neglecting the problem and urged the current administration not to repeat that mistake. “Akufo-Addo didn’t care, so don’t say Ghanaians don’t care about your administration. If you don’t solve the galamsey problem, in 2028 Ghanaians will vote the NDC out,” Dr Aidoo warned.

Further deepening concerns, Dr Aidoo pointed to recent reports that a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in the Ashanti Region was involved in illegal mining activities, questioning the President’s response. “So far, there is no response from this man. What is the President doing?” he asked.

While acknowledging government initiatives such as the Blue Water Initiative and making the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (Gold Board) the sole legal buyer of gold, Dr Aidoo emphasised that these policies alone are insufficient without stopping the illegal mining. “Stop the galamsey, stop the damage to our waters and forests. Programs will fail if illegal mining continues unchecked,” he stressed.

Dr Aidoo urged the deployment of military forces to tackle the problem decisively. “Bring 1,000 men, two battalions, and fetch them out. If necessary, shoot to kill because they are killing us,” he said, describing galamsey as an assault on Ghana’s territorial integrity that threatens the nation’s future.

Despite rating the government 70 percent overall, Dr Aidoo reduced his score to 60 due to what he said is the ineffective fight against galamsey. He ended with a firm call to action: “Six months is long enough. Galamsey must be eliminated and uprooted from our society. It doesn’t matter who profits from it.