Dr. Hassan Ayariga, the leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has expressed his belief that illegal mining, also known as galamsey, could be completely halted if President Nana Akufo-Addo took decisive action.

In an interview on the Ghana Kasa show with Kweku Ofosu, Dr. Ayariga claimed that galamsey operations persist because the government allows them. According to him, those in power are the ones enabling illegal mining activities.

“If the government truly wanted to stop galamsey, all the president needs to do is make one phone call, and it will end,” Dr. Ayariga said, stressing that without government approval, illegal mining wouldn’t flourish.

He further alleged that foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens involved in galamsey, have government backing. “The Chinese involved in galamsey don’t just arrive in Ghana by themselves; they are here with permits that go through government channels—most politicians in Ghana support galamsey. There’s no way galamsey would happen without government approval,” he asserted.

Dr. Ayariga concluded by emphasizing that individuals in power are sponsoring both large-scale and small-scale illegal mining and calling on the government to act if it genuinely wants to end galamsey.