Kumasi Mayor Samuel Pyne has taken aim at Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, accusing him of inconsistency in his stance on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey as reported by Ghana Web.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on April 11, Pyne criticized Kwakye Ofosu for shifting his position on the issue now that his party is in power.
He described the Minister’s actions as hypocritical, suggesting that he lacks a consistent moral position.
Pyne recalled that in 2024, Kwakye Ofosu had urged the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to take strong military action against illegal mining.
“He was on radio and TV saying we had enough soldiers and police to stop galamsey,” Pyne said. “One of the most dangerous things is a double-standard person.”
The KMA boss questioned why Kwakye Ofosu, who once demanded immediate action, now appears to downplay urgency under his own administration.
In response, Kwakye Ofosu has emphasized the need for a long-term approach to tackling galamsey. He argued that the problem isn’t one that can be solved within a fixed timeframe.
“I’m not sure that a timeline is the conversation we should be having,” he told Channel 1 Television. “We must remain eternally vigilant… What matters is demonstrable commitment.”
Illegal mining remains a contentious issue in Ghana, with successive governments struggling to contain their environmental and social consequences.