Cadman Atta Mills, brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, has launched a sharp rebuke at the government over its handling of illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, warning that the practice is costing lives and the environment.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Mr Mills said the devastating consequences of galamsey cannot be excused by the government’s celebration of recent economic gains, particularly the Cedi’s recovery.

“I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC are receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life,” he declared.

He stressed that whether branded as galamsey or cloaked under so-called “legal” small-scale mining operations sponsored by politically connected individuals, the result remains the same—rampant destruction of natural resources and irreversible health risks for local communities.

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

“It is killing us,” Mr Mills lamented, pointing to the pollution of water bodies, destruction of farmlands and the long-term impact on the well-being of citizens.

He called on President Mahama to take urgent, decisive action to halt the menace and protect the country’s future.

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