Cadman Atta Mills, brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, has strongly criticised the government’s handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He warned that the recent recovery of the cedi cannot justify the human and environmental costs of the activity.

In a blunt statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Mills said, “I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC is receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life.”

I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE ACCOLADES PRESIDENT MAHAMA AND THE NDC IS RECEIVING FOR THE CEDI'S RECOVERY WITH MY HEALTH OR LIFE.
Call it Galamsey or "legal" small scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow pic.twitter.com/jqdY9HE9z0

— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) September 14, 2025

Mr Mills’ remarks come as the government celebrates what it describes as a stabilisation of the economy, particularly the cedi’s rebound.

He argued that whether described as galamsey or “legal” small-scale mining operations backed by politically connected financiers, the destructive impact remains the same.

“It is killing us,” he stressed, pointing to the widespread pollution of rivers, degradation of farmlands, and the rising health risks confronting communities.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO ACT?? MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE WATER THAT FEEDS A HUGE CHUNK OF THE CENTRAL REGION--THANKS TO "LEGAL SMALL-SCALE MINING"! pic.twitter.com/CzsJvsus4t

— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) September 12, 2025