Former President John Mahama says the ruling New Patriotic Party's fight against illegal mining is only targeted at persons deemed to be members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at Akyem-Mosease in the Eastern Region on his three-day tour, Mr Mahama said during the NDC's tenure in office, the government allowed every licensed miner, regardless of their background, the opportunity to work on concessions, without discrimination.

According to the former president, the most disturbing aspect of the galamsey fight is the situation where seized mining equipment is handed over to NPP party faithful.

"When NDC was in power, we didn't discriminate. We didn't say this person was NDC, NPP, CPP or PNC. Anybody who was licensed was allowed to work. But when these people took over, they have taken over people's concessions, seized their excavators and given to NPP members to work, sidelining the rest of us but everything has an end. There will certainly be a change," Mr Mahama said.

Also clarifying his 'do or die' comment, which he claims has been twisted, John Mahama explained it to mean a determination to succeed in every venture.

"The 2024 election is not going to be a joke. That is why I said it will be 'do or die'. But when I said do or die some people have twisted it to mean that we are going to cut people with cutlasses and bow and arrows. No, that is not 'do or die'. 'Do or die' means a determination to succeed in a very important venture," Mr Mahama noted.

The former president's tour to the Eastern Region is expected to end on Thursday, April 13.