In a social media post on March 6, Amihere pointed out that the President had largely overlooked the pressing issue in three key speeches—the inaugural address, the State of the Nation Address (SONA), and the Independence Day speech.
She emphasized that illegal mining continues to pose severe environmental and health risks, urging for more decisive action.
“President Mahama has made 3 important speeches at very important occasions… and he has said little about illegal mining or galamsey, which poses a threat to our existence as a people,” she stated.
However, during his State of the Nation Address on February 27, the President did acknowledge the devastating impact of galamsey.
He highlighted that illegal mining had severely damaged Ghana’s forests and water bodies, revealing that 44 out of the country’s 288 forest reserves had been affected—an area roughly equivalent to 7,504 football pitches.
To address the crisis, Mahama announced measures such as stricter law enforcement, expanded oversight by the Minerals Commission, and structured regulations for different scales of mining operations.
While these interventions signal a commitment to tackling the issue, Amihere’s concerns shows a broader public demand for stronger and more visible leadership in the fight against galamsey.