Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, National Coordinator for the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), has admitted that President John Dramani Mahama’s response to illegal mining (galamsey) during his recent media engagement did not satisfy the expectations of many Ghanaians.
At the Presidential Media Encounter held on September 10, President Mahama was asked whether he would consider declaring a state of emergency due to the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining. In response, he indicated that such a move would only be considered after all existing legal measures had been exhausted.
Vanderpuye acknowledged the public’s reaction:
“The only part of the interaction that drew disappointment was the president’s response on galamsey. People seemed to expect that he would take a firmer stance—perhaps even announce a state of emergency. But judging from media feedback and public commentary, that wasn’t the case.”
However, Vanderpuye defended the president’s position as pragmatic and carefully considered.
“I believe the president handled it wisely. He pointed out that while a state of emergency is an option, it must come only after all legal avenues have been explored. And truthfully, we’re not there yet—there are still many options available under existing laws.”
He emphasized that the fight against galamsey must be approached as a long-term strategy, not a quick fix.
“I’ve always seen the fight against galamsey as a process, not a one-time event. There are initiatives like the Blue Water Guards already in place. The challenge is that the results have not yet matched public expectations,” Vanderpuye added.
He urged patience and continued support for structured interventions as the government works toward sustainable solutions.
