The Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has issued a sharp call for a departure from partisan politics in the national effort to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam program on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the legislator warned that the current trajectory of illegal mining has reached a critical stage that requires a cohesive, non-partisan national response to be effectively curtailed.
Mr Adomako-Mensah expressed deep concern over the brazen nature of contemporary illegal mining activities, noting that perpetrators are increasingly operating with impunity. He argued that the politicisation of the issue has consistently undermined government-led enforcement efforts, creating gaps that illicit miners continue to exploit. According to the MP, without a unified front that transcends political divides, the state’s ability to protect the environment and secure the future of the country’s natural resources remains severely compromised.
“It is high time we put politics aside and support the government in the fight against galamsey,” Mr Adomako-Mensah stated, emphasising that the normalisation of illegal mining poses an existential threat to the country’s ecosystems and public health. He cautioned that continued fragmentation in the approach to this crisis serves only to embolden those engaged in the practice.
The lawmaker’s remarks come at a time when traditional authorities and various coalitions are intensifying pressure on the government to adopt more aggressive measures against illegal miners. Recent protests in areas such as Berekum, coupled with advocacy from groups like the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, reflect a growing public consensus that the current enforcement strategies have proven insufficient to halt the degradation of water bodies and farmlands.
As the debate intensifies, Mr Adomako-Mensah’s stance underscores the frustration among some legislators regarding the efficacy of existing anti-galamsey initiatives. His call serves as a direct appeal for stakeholders across the political spectrum to prioritise national interest over electoral rhetoric to address what has become one of the country’s most persistent environmental and economic challenges.
