The Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) has questioned the sincerity and effectiveness of the current NDC administration’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey), describing it as a "mirage and cosmetic" rather than a resolute policy direction.

Speaking at the official launch of the GAP-F’s and its maiden press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Dr. Justice Kwaku Addo, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast (UCC), criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s government over what he called its “cosmetic approach” to the galamsey menace.

In a presentation titled “The NDC Government’s Galamsey Fight: A Myth, Reality or a Mirage?”, Dr. Addo accused the government of turning a blind eye to the widespread destruction caused by illegal mining activities across the country.

“The rivers of Ghana and our unborn generations are crying for your rescue, Mr. President. The level of water pollution, soil degradation, and deforestation has reached its crescendo, yet government and its appointees pretend nothing is happening,” he lamented.

Dr. Addo expressed shock at the sudden silence of prominent voices previously vocal on the issue, including academics like Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Members of Parliament such as Samuel Nartey George and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as well as civil society organisations. He questioned whether their current silence was a result of complicity or convenience.

“Is it the case of the proverbial saying that ‘when the mouth is full, it cannot speak’? Or are our good friends just observing their table manners — ‘you don’t talk while eating’?” he asked rhetorically.

He backed his concerns with disturbing findings from recent research conducted by GAP-F in parts of the Eastern, Western, and Ashanti Regions, which revealed a continued deterioration of major water bodies.

According to the findings, rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim remain heavily polluted, with turbidity levels exceeding 14,000 NTU, far above the recommended 2,000 NTU safe threshold for treatment and consumption.

In one striking example, Dr. Addo cited a recent report from City News Room (June 16, 2025), indicating that pollution of the Pra River had led to a doubling of skin diseases and diarrhoea cases in the Shama District, amplifying the direct public health consequences of illegal mining.

Referring to a Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) report, Dr. Addo disclosed that the turbidity levels of water in illegal mining zones remain alarmingly high and unchanged, making treatment extremely difficult and costly.

He also drew attention to the government's own admissions. In March 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed that 44% of Ghana’s forest reserves had been lost due to illegal mining and logging.

Moreover, 44 forest reserves out of 288 had been degraded, with over 5,252 hectares destroyed by galamsey operations.

Despite these grim statistics, Dr. Addo accused the government of merely paying lip service to the crisis. He described the administration’s approach as “selective” and “politically calculated,” calling for the resignation of ministers and appointees complicit in the illegal mining trade.

“We denounce the selective enforcement of the law. Such discrimination undermines the fight against galamsey and the principle of equality before the law,” he stressed.

Dr. Addo called for the repeal of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), a law that permits mining in protected forest areas. He demanded tougher sanctions for offenders and urged Ghanaians particularly the youth to rise and defend the environment for the sake of future generations.

“The time to act is now! This can no longer be business as usual. We must declare a state of emergency in all illegal mining zones,” he indicated.

He called on the press, traditional leaders (Nananoom), the clergy, civil society, and all citizens at home and abroad to unite in the fight against galamsey.

“You are the vanguard of our nation in defending our democracy, our natural environment, and our children's future. The future of Ghana lies in our hands,” he added.

Photos of degraded water bodies and forest lands from the affected regions were displayed during the event to highlight the gravity of the situation.