Political scientist Dr Asah Asante has urged the government to take decisive action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, warning that failure to do so could have severe political consequences in the 2028 general elections.

Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Asante said illegal mining remains one of the biggest threats to Ghana’s economy and environment, and any government that ignores it risks losing voter confidence.

“I want the government to muster courage, put its foot down, and fight this galamsey menace head-on. Because what happened to the NPP, if this government refuses to pay attention to galamsey, the story will not be different when we come to 2028,” he cautioned.

Dr Asante explained that voters often base their decisions on key factors such as economic performance and the impact of policies on their livelihoods.

According to him, illegal mining is not only undermining economic stability but could also lead to “constituency-specific issues” that may hurt the ruling party politically.

He stressed that governance should not be about retaining power but about improving the lives of citizens through bold and effective action.

“We don’t govern just because we want to win power. Governance must bring hope, must bring joy, and at the end of the day, improve our livelihoods. Without it, nobody believes in anything called governance,” he said.

Dr Asante pointed to the outcome of the last general election as proof that citizens expect the government to address pressing national concerns like illegal mining.

He argued that the ruling administration has “what it takes to turn things around” and should act decisively to tackle the menace.

The galamsey issue has long been a major environmental and political flashpoint in Ghana, threatening water bodies, farmlands, and local economies.

Successive governments have promised to address it, but the problem has persisted, often becoming a central theme in election campaigns.

Dr Asante warned that if the current government fails to act, the consequences could mirror the political setbacks faced by the previous administration.