The General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has criticised what he describes as the government's selective approach to the fight against illegal mining, insisting that the conviction of the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, should not be viewed as a political triumph.

Addressing journalists after the High Court's judgment in the Samreboi illegal mining case, Mr Kodua argued that the government's anti-galamsey campaign would only command public confidence if it was applied fairly to all persons, regardless of their political affiliation.

"This is no trophy," he declared.

According to Mr Kodua, the prosecution and conviction of a leading opposition figure should not be celebrated while, in his view, allegations involving individuals associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) remain unresolved.

"The Ghanaian people cannot fail to notice that while political opponents who have done no wrong are being aggressively prosecuted, questions remain unanswered regarding individuals associated with the President's party and government who have themselves been publicly linked to illegal mining activities," he said.

Mr Kodua said the government still owed Ghanaians answers regarding previous statements by President John Dramani Mahama concerning alleged illegal mining activities involving persons within his administration.

"Indeed, the President himself has acknowledged that persons in his administration are involved in galamsey. What concrete action has followed those admissions?" he asked.

The NPP General Secretary further demanded clarity on the identities of those individuals and whether investigations had been initiated.

"Who are those members of the President's party that are engaged in galamsey and of whom the President knows?" he questioned.

Mr Kodua also drew attention to what he described as unresolved allegations involving several individuals associated with the governing party.

He questioned the status of a petition reportedly submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which sought investigations into allegations concerning NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin and the party's National Vice-Chairman, Abanga Yakubu.

In addition, he referred to previous public allegations involving the Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South West, Mohammed Yakubu, and a District Chief Executive, as well as separate accusations made against the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi.

"What has become of the petition submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office seeking an investigation into those allegations?" he asked.

He further questioned why, in his view, those matters had not received the same level of urgency demonstrated in the prosecution of Chairman Wontumi.

"Why has the nation not witnessed the same level of urgency and determination in those matters?" Mr Kodua asked.

The individuals named by Mr Kodua have publicly faced allegations in various contexts. His comments referred to those allegations, and not to findings of criminal liability by a court.

The NPP General Secretary argued that Ghana's campaign against illegal mining risked losing public confidence if enforcement was perceived to be politically selective.

"Justice cannot be selective," he stated.

"The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents in respect of whom evidence of wrongdoing does not exist, while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the President's own party."

He maintained that the credibility of the anti-galamsey campaign depended on impartial investigations and equal application of the law.

According to Mr Kodua, every allegation of illegal mining, regardless of the political affiliation of those involved, should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny by investigative and prosecutorial agencies.

Beyond the debate over illegal mining prosecutions, Mr Kodua said Ghana was confronted with broader national challenges that required urgent government attention.

"We also wish to state that Ghana faces challenges far greater than political persecution," he said.

He cited growing security threats, the destruction of cocoa farms and farming communities by illegal mining, the government's response to recent flooding, and the increasing threat of terrorism within the West African sub-region as issues requiring decisive leadership.

"At a time when our nation is grappling with growing security threats, the devastating impact of illegal mining on our cocoa farmers and farming communities, the Government's inadequate response to recent flooding across the country, and the increasing menace of terrorism within the sub-region, Ghanaians expect leadership that demonstrates urgency, competence and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and national security," he said.