President Mahama Faces Scrutiny Over Galamsey and Waste Management as Environmental Tensions Rise

President John Mahama is facing intensified pressure to clarify his administration’s stance on environmental protection as multiple governance challenges—ranging from illegal mining (galamsey) to waste management disputes—converge. Ibrahim Adjei, Resident Country Director of International Investments LLC, has publicly criticized the President for denying he ever promised to declare a state of emergency to combat galamsey. This denial, made during an event in New York, has sparked a debate over the consistency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on mining reforms, with critics pointing to prior statements from party members advocating for emergency measures as a necessary step to halt the destruction of water bodies.

While President Mahama maintains that existing legal frameworks provide sufficient authority for targeted operations against illegal miners without the need for a formal state of emergency, his critics remain unconvinced. Adjei argued that the President's current position appears insincere given the severity of the environmental crisis. Simultaneously, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to demonstrate higher levels of integrity, transparency, and accountability. She warned that environmental laws must be enforced without favoritism to regain public trust, a sentiment echoed by EPA CEO Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, who noted that enforcement against violations, particularly in the mining sector, is being prioritized.

Beyond the mining sector, the government is confronting a localized uprising in the Eastern Region, where residents of Adipa in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency have issued a seven-day ultimatum to halt the transfer of waste from Agbogbloshie to their local landfill. Supported by Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the community has threatened to block access roads unless their demands for an independent health assessment and a transparent waste management plan are met. Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip, criticized the lack of stakeholder engagement, questioning the rationale behind designating Adipa for a massive relocation of one million tonnes of refuse without community consultation.

These domestic challenges are further complicated by warnings from civil society organizations regarding offshore gold exploration. CSOs are calling for an urgent review of reconnaissance licenses granted to Gold Coast Resource Corp., citing potential threats to the Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ) and the livelihoods of fishing communities. As the Mahama administration navigates these competing demands for resource extraction and environmental sustainability, the call for clear, accountable governance remains a central theme. The intersection of these issues highlights a critical juncture for the government as it seeks to balance economic development with the urgent need to protect Ghana’s natural resources and public health.