Sam George Sends Strong Warning to Ghanaians Telling Him About Galamsey

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has rejected attempts to hold him directly responsible for Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, arguing that the issue does not fall within the mandate of his ministry.

Speaking in a recent interview with Oyerepa FM, the minister questioned why he should be blamed for the persistence of illegal mining when his portfolio does not directly supervise the sector.

He challenged those seeking to associate him with the problem to identify whether the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has oversight responsibility for mining activities.

Despite distancing his ministry from the direct management of the galamsey crisis, Sam George reaffirmed his opposition to illegal mining and called for strict enforcement of the law against anyone found engaging in the practice.

He stressed that political affiliation should not influence how offenders are treated, insisting that individuals involved in illegal mining must be held accountable regardless of whether they belong to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the minister, illegal mining poses a serious threat to the country and should not be treated as a partisan issue. He maintained that the government has a duty to ensure that anyone implicated in the destructive activity faces the appropriate legal consequences.

Sam George’s comments come against the backdrop of his previous criticism of the Akufo-Addo administration over its handling of illegal mining while he was in opposition.

During that period, he accused former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of failing to take sufficiently decisive measures to tackle the menace. He also raised concerns about alleged involvement in illegal mining by some government appointees and individuals associated with the NPP.

The minister further questioned the controls governing the importation of excavators into Ghana, arguing that the availability of such equipment had contributed to the continued destruction associated with illegal mining.

He also criticised the previous administration over the deterioration of the country’s water bodies, which has remained one of the major environmental concerns linked to galamsey.

Although Sam George maintains that the direct responsibility for tackling illegal mining lies outside his ministry’s mandate, he has reiterated that those involved in the practice should face the full force of the law without political favouritism.

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