Wonder Madilo, a member of the NDC Communications Team, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to refrain from politicising the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, insisting that government efforts require focus rather than political noise and blame games.
Madilo accused the NPP of hypocrisy in its criticism of the current administration’s handling of galamsey, arguing that similar challenges existed under their tenure.
He maintained that illegal mining did not emerge overnight, adding that successive governments have struggled to fully contain the menace despite various interventions, bans, and enforcement campaigns.
“Shut up and let’s fix it,” he stated, adding that Ghana’s progress in fighting illegal mining has been slowed by excessive political commentary and partisan exchanges.
According to him, attempts by the opposition to question the current government’s commitment lack moral consistency, especially given what he described as failures and contradictions during their time in office.
“The NPP are just hypocrites. What did they do about galamsey?” he said, insisting that the fight against illegal mining has seen years of political drama without sustainable results.
Madilo maintained that the current administration has begun deploying modern technology, including artificial intelligence systems used in revenue assurance at the ports, arguing that such tools could also support broader enforcement efforts.
However, Kwesi Botchway Jnr., a member of the NPP Communications Team, rejected the call for silence, insisting that opposition voices would continue to hold government accountable on the galamsey fight.
“We will not shut up, you want us to shut up so that you will continue destroying our forest, we won’t shut up, we will call you to order and remind you of your promise,” he said.
