The Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has urged the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to publicly expose individuals using the party’s name as cover for illegal mining.
Speaking after a meeting with NDC regional executives in Kumasi on Thursday (2 October), Amoakohene said the practice of disguising as party loyalists to shield unlawful activity was damaging the party’s image and undermining the government’s fight against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
“We know who is NDC and who is not. If anyone is using the name of the party to tarnish the image of the NDC and the President, we want to charge the party to name and shame them so we can cleanse the system,” he said.
The minister added that Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) should lead the fight at the local level since forests and water bodies under threat are located within their jurisdictions.
He also warned against influence peddling, stressing that any individual claiming to act on behalf of senior party figures to secure mining rights would face arrest.
“If any big man wants to engage in mining, the person should do so directly and not through third parties,” Amoakohene said.
His comments come hours after the collapse of an illegal mining pit at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District, which killed at least five miners, according to disaster management officials.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities say the death toll could rise.
Illegal mining has been a flashpoint in Ghana, Africa’s second-largest gold producer, where unsafe practices have led to frequent accidents and severe environmental damage.
