Kwesi Botchway Jr., a private legal practitioner, has stated that illegal mining has increased under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama. In statements reported by Rainbow Radio Online, Botchway, an aide to former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, claimed that government officials are involved in the practice, commonly known as “galamsey.”
According to the report, Botchway said the current administration had criticized the previous government of former President Nana Akufo-Addo over its handling of illegal mining and made promises to address the issue.
“The NDC made political capital out of the galamsey issue under Akufo-Addo,” Botchway stated. “But after almost a year since assuming power, galamsey has moved from mining zones into people’s homes.”
Botchway specified that illegal mining activities are now occurring in residential areas in locations such as Bole Bamboi and Kyebi. He further alleged that the practice has extended into the premises of some educational institutions.
“Appointees of the government, the president’s representatives, and certain NDC executives are deeply involved,” Botchway said, adding that the authority to stop the activities rests with the president. “If President John Dramani Mahama truly wants to stop galamsey, it would be a one-day job.”
He also called for an update on an investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) into National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives who were allegedly connected to illegal mining.
Botchway described the issue as a national security threat with consequences for public health and the economy. He characterized the matter as a non-partisan issue that requires a national response.
