The Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency, Kofi Adams, has reiterated that former President John Mahama has remained steadfast in his opposition to illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

According to the lawmaker, Mr Mahama as the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 general election has consistently advocated for stringent measures against those involved in these illicit operations.

Mr Adams emphasised that Mr Mahama's position is clear: he believes that the influential individuals orchestrating these activities should be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to curb the growing menace.

In an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 26, the lawmaker highlighted Mr Mahama's commitment to addressing the galamsey crisis.

He asserted that the former president has not wavered in his stance, emphasizing the need for accountability among those exploiting Ghana's natural resources.

Mr Adams pointed out that Mr Mahama's calls for action reflect a broader concern for environmental degradation and the social ramifications of illegal mining on local communities, where water sources and land are compromised.

Mr Adams also criticised the current government for its handling of the galamsey issue, accusing them of evading responsibility and shifting blame onto opposition parties.

He urged the government to confront the problem directly rather than deflecting criticism.

The Buem MP stressed that a collaborative effort is essential to tackle the illegal mining crisis effectively, advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive strategy that includes law enforcement and community engagement.

"I don’t think John Mahama has changed his position on Galamsey. He’s been very consistent from 2016 till date. Perhaps, the only new thing he has said is that he asked for the big men behind it to be arrested and not the small boys," he insisted.