Asamankese: The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has announced that illegal mining, known as galamsey, will be a central focus of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) campaign for the 2028 general elections. This announcement was made following his participation in the NPP Eastern Regional elections at the Pep Sports Complex in Asamankese.
According to Ghana Web, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh emphasized the significance of addressing illegal mining, stating, "Galamsey will form the core of the narrative of our campaign in 2028." He highlighted the critical impact of galamsey on vital resources, such as water, citing the destruction of the Birim River as an example. He noted that the issue transcends mere political campaigning and is fundamentally about survival, livelihood, and humanity.
The NPP is expected to contest the 2028 elections with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer. The issue of illegal mining is a major environmental concern in Ghana, with the country losing approximately 8,900 hectares of forest reserves to galamsey. This alarming statistic, equivalent to about 12,500 football fields, was revealed by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. He shared these figures during a policy dialogue organized by the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education in Accra.
Mr. Buah disclosed that nine out of Ghana's 288 forest reserves have been severely affected by illegal mining activities. The strain on Forestry Commission personnel, tasked with protecting these areas, has also been significant. Although the government recognizes the challenges in prosecuting suspects involved in illegal mining, data from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry covering operations up to July 2026 shows that 258 individuals have been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in forest reserves.