The Center for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA) has called on government to show genuine commitment in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that political tokenism and endless consultations will not save Ghana\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Michael Donyina Mensah on October 1, 2025, the group said successive governments have failed to match rhetoric with action, allowing rivers to be poisoned, farmlands destroyed and forests ravaged. <\/p>\n NDC did more to fight ‘galamsey’ in 9 months than NPP did in 8 years – Sam George<\/p>\n “While dialogue is essential in democratic governance, we caution that such engagements must not become avenues to co-opt CSOs or mute independent voices.<\/p>\n “Ghanaians deserve transparency and not tokenism.<\/p>\n “For over a decade, successive governments have pledged to end galamsey, yet our rivers remain poisoned, farmlands destroyed and forest reserves ravaged. <\/p>\n “The problem is not the absence of ideas, it is the absence of political will and the complicity of those in power,” the statement read.<\/p>\n CenPOA insisted that the current government must demonstrate seriousness by enforcing mining bans in forest reserves and water bodies, publishing all mining concessions, prosecuting offenders without fear or favour and ensuring independent monitoring of reclamation projects with civil society oversight.<\/p>\n The organization also reminded the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of its unfulfilled 2024 manifesto pledge to ban mining in forest reserves within 120 days of assuming office. <\/p>\n “Nearly a year on, these promises remain unfulfilled. The NDC\u2019s inability to act decisively undermines public confidence and shows that political rhetoric alone cannot save Ghana\u2019s environment,” the statement added.<\/p>\n The body concluded by stating that Ghanaians deserve bold decisions and not token engagements with civil society.<\/p>\n “Galamsey is not just an environmental crisis; it is a moral test of our nation\u2019s leadership. Ghanaians deserve bold action and not endless promises and empty consultations,” it said.<\/p>\n ID\/AM<\/p>\n GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, Sex for Fish, that explores the plights of teenage girls in coastal communities, all in an attempt to survive, is out. Watch it below:<\/b><\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanaweb.com\/imagelib\/pics\/438\/43815468.295.jpg\" "\\"Michael")
Michael Donyina Mensah is the Executive Director of CenPOA<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n