Special Aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Manu, has accused President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of double standards in their approach to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to her, while in opposition, Mr Mahama and his party consistently criticised the Akufo-Addo administration, accusing it of complicity and demanding radical action.

Yet, since assuming office in January 2025, the President has failed to outline a clear strategy to address the menace.

“Ghanaians deserve to know what exactly President Mahama plans to do about galamsey. In opposition, he made all the noise and criticised every intervention of the NPP. Today, the problem is worse, and yet, he and his appointees have gone silent,” Madam Manu said on Adom TV’s Badwam on Friday, September 19, 2025.

She further called out key NDC figures, including Communications Minister Sam George, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Kofi Armah Buah, and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noting that they had previously demanded a state of emergency in mining areas but have since abandoned those calls.

“Today, these same individuals sit comfortably in government but have abandoned their calls. They owe the people of Ghana an apology,” she added.

The NPP 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Adentan contrasted the Mahama administration’s silence with what she described as the structured plan presented by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the NPP’s 2024 manifesto.

She explained that the plan included comprehensive geological investigations to map gold deposits before exploration, a step she called “the sustainable and scientific way” to tackle galamsey.

“The NPP presented a structured and forward-looking solution. What has the NDC offered beyond rhetoric?” Madam Manu quizzed.

She urged President Mahama to move beyond political talk and present concrete solutions, stressing that the fight against galamsey is too critical to be reduced to partisan slogans.