President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has acknowledged the significant impact of the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on his presidency and the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking during his final State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Friday, January 3, 2025, the President highlighted the political and policy implications of this contentious issue.

He stated that his commitment to tackling galamsey, despite its unpopularity among some quarters, was driven by the need to protect Ghana's environment.

"I knew and was very much aware that fighting galamsey was not a universally popular position for a president to take, but I felt strongly enough about the need to protect our environment to say I was prepared to put my presidency on the line in defense of our lands and water bodies," he declared.

The President further linked the NPP’s loss of several parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections to the anti-galamsey campaign, noting its direct effect on the composition of the 8th Parliament.

This, he admitted, had constrained his administration’s ability to fully implement its policy agenda and significantly impacted his second term.

Despite the challenges, President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism about the growing support for efforts to eradicate illegal mining, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

"I welcome the many loud converts to the fight against galamsey that suddenly appeared in the run-up to the 2024 elections, and I pray that more and more of us get to embrace the need for the protection of our lands and water bodies," he remarked.

He reiterated the importance of responsible mineral extraction, stressing the need to prioritise the welfare of future generations.

"We owe it to future generations of Ghanaians to extract our minerals in a manner that protects our lands and water bodies," the President urged.

Watch as Akufo-Addo presents State of The Nation Address below:



JKB/MA

Watch a compilation of the latest Twi news below: