By Issah Olegor
The running mate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2024 presidential election, Wayoe Ghanamannti, has formally petitioned Parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings against President John Dramani Mahama, citing his administration’s alleged complicity and failure in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking during a panel discussion on JoyPrime on October 18, 2025, Ghanamannti, a lawyer by profession, revealed that his petition was submitted in line with Article 69 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides for the removal of a sitting president for misconduct or violation of the Constitution.
According to him, President Mahama’s administration has deceived Ghanaians by making false promises to eradicate galamsey but instead presiding over its escalation.
“Mahama came into power on the back of promises to fight galamsey, yet what we see today is worse than ever before,” Ghanamannti charged. “Both the NDC and NPP have failed Ghana in this fight. Now, we have a Gold Board that goes behind and buys gold from illegal miners. This is the height of hypocrisy.”
He added that the petition represents “the highest form of accountability” and called on the Speaker of Parliament to treat the matter with urgency when the House resumes sitting.
“I have submitted the petition to Parliament, and I expect the Speaker to act in accordance with Article 69,” he insisted.
Mahama’s Controversial Galamsey Policy
President Mahama has faced growing criticism in recent months over his approach to the illegal mining menace.
During a Jubilee House media briefing in September 2025, he admitted that galamsey had caused severe environmental damage—polluting rivers, destroying farmlands, and degrading forest reserves—but insisted that his administration would not adopt a “militarized” or “emergency” approach.
“I’ve never deluded myself that the fight against illegal gold mining would be a one-off event,” Mahama told journalists. “It’s a process, but we won’t give up.”
The President defended his cautious approach by citing the livelihoods of nearly four million Ghanaians who depend on small-scale mining for survival.
He argued that abruptly clamping down on galamsey could trigger widespread unemployment and social unrest.
However, this policy stance has been described by critics as a capitulation to illegal miners, many of whom are alleged to have strong political connections within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
GoldBod Reforms Under Fire
A central point of controversy is the government’s directive to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to purchase gold directly from miners—including those operating illegally—in an effort to bolster the country’s gold reserves.
Former Deputy Energy Minister Andrew Egyapa Mercer has condemned the initiative, warning that it effectively legitimizes an unlawful and environmentally destructive trade.
“If the President himself says government should buy gold from illegal miners, what message does that send? It’s an endorsement of environmental destruction,” Mercer argued. “This completely undermines our fight against galamsey.”
Civil society groups have also accused the government of using GoldBod as a cover to benefit politically connected individuals while pretending to fighting illegal mining.
Public And Institutional Outrage
President Mahama’s perceived leniency has provoked backlash from religious bodies, academics, and environmental advocates.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) recently issued a stern warning, describing galamsey as “one of the gravest afflictions of our time.”
In a statement dated September 15, 2025, the Bishops accused the government of complacency and warned that Ghana was “on the brink of ecological destruction.”
They called for “extraordinary measures,” including the possible declaration of a state of environmental emergency in the worst-affected areas.
Similarly, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has raised alarm over the health consequences of polluted rivers.
Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, General Secretary of UTAG’s University of Ghana chapter, warned that contaminated water from mining areas could trigger long-term health crises.
“If we don’t act now, we will all die,” Dr. Harrison bluntly stated during an interview on Channel One TV.
Background: A National Crisis That Defies Politics
Illegal mining, or galamsey, has plagued Ghana for decades, especially in the Ashanti, Western, and Eastern Regions.
Successive governments have launched several anti-galamsey operations, including military interventions under the Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt initiatives, yet none have achieved lasting results.
Observers attribute this failure to a politico-economic paradox—the state’s dependence on gold revenue versus the environmental cost.
Many galamseyers are believed to have political patrons, making enforcement difficult and sometimes dangerous.
President Mahama’s approach appears to be an attempt to strike a balance between environmental protection and social stability.
However, his critics, including Ghanamannti, argue that it instead reflects a failure of leadership and moral courage.
Looking Ahead
With the CPP’s petition now before Parliament, attention turns to Speaker Alban Bagbin, who is expected to decide whether the petition meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment proceedings, even though the National Democratic Congress has the majority in Parliament.
