Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has stated that illegal miners, or “galamsey” operators, are not affiliated with political parties but are rather ordinary citizens engaging in the controversial activity.

He made this remark during a phone interview on Angel TV’s Morning Show with host Okatakyie Afrifa.

In his candid response to the ongoing debate on illegal mining, Kufuor emphasized that those involved in galamsey are mainly young, educated citizens and local chiefs.

He criticized the chiefs for accepting payments from the miners to allow them to operate, despite knowing the environmental impact of their actions. Now, as galamsey reaches a critical point, these same individuals are calling on the government to intervene.

“Young educated citizens and chiefs who took money from galamsey miners and let them operate are now asking the government to stop galamsey, even as it reaches its peak,” Kufuor remarked, pointing out the hypocrisy of those involved.

The former president’s comments come amidst increasing public scrutiny and political tension over illegal mining, with mounting pressure on the government to take decisive action. Galamsey operations have severely degraded water bodies and forest reserves across the country, sparking widespread concern over environmental sustainability.

Kufuor’s stance suggests that tackling the galamsey issue requires more than just political intervention, calling for individual accountability from those enabling illegal mining activities. His statements add another layer to the ongoing national conversation surrounding the environmental and political implications of galamsey.

The discussion continues to dominate national discourse as Ghanaians await more concrete measures to address the crisis.