The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has pledged to put pressure on Ghana’s two leading presidential candidates, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to publicly denounce illegal mining, known as galamsey.

The coalition aims to hold the candidates accountable for their stance ahead of the December elections.

This push comes after the coalition submitted a petition urging both candidates to take a clear position on the environmental and social damage caused by galamsey.

Despite the petition, both Bawumia and Mahama have remained silent on the issue.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Tuesday, September 24, Dr Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the coalition, reiterated their determination to keep pushing until the candidates openly condemn galamsey.

He emphasised the importance of strong leadership in tackling the illegal mining crisis that continues to devastate the country’s resources.

“We need the National Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate, H.E former President John Mahama, and the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, H.E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to declare openly the support for this crisis response that we’re asking for."

“Unfortunately, we have written to the two of them [Bawumia and Mahama], but we don’t have any response yet. We’re going to push that," he said.

The Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey outlined key strategies to combat illegal mining ahead of the elections.

He stressed the importance of a non-partisan approach to avoid political exploitation of the issue, urging all political parties to unite with President Akufo-Addo in a collective effort to address the galamsey crisis.

“If we don’t make this a non-partisan battle, and bring everybody in, you will have a situation where some of these political parties would want to take advantage of the fight to the detriment of Ghanaians."

“We need the political parties all behind the commander-in-chief and saying that we’re fighting this together. And I can tell you, the movements are going to happen," he added.