Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Godfred Bokpin, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to extend the decisive leadership he has shown in other policy areas to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He made this call during an appearance on JoyNews’ *Newsfile* programme on Saturday, June 21.

Prof Bokpin emphasised that illegal mining poses the single greatest threat to Ghana’s economic survival and called for urgent and sustained political will to confront it.

“I want to appeal to former President Mahama to demonstrate the same kind of leadership he has shown in other areas when it comes to dealing with galamsey,” he stated.

He stressed that Ghana cannot achieve long-term economic stability if environmental degradation caused by illegal mining continues unchecked.

“If we lose our rivers, our forests, and arable land, there is no economy to run in the long term,” Prof Bokpin warned.

He urged President Mahama to prioritise sustainable and responsible natural resource management.

According to the finance professor, any credible development strategy for Ghana must include a firm crackdown on galamsey operations.

He argued that protecting the environment is as crucial as macroeconomic reforms, noting, “We cannot build a resilient economy while destroying the very resources that support our livelihoods.”