National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has refuted claims that President John Dramani Mahama promised to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, within 120 days, emphasizing that no such timeline was ever stated in the President’s public commitments.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, May 8, Vanderpuye stressed that while Mahama remains committed to tackling galamsey, he has not specified an exact timeframe for achieving the goal.
“It is not a fight that will end in 120 days, and President Mahama did not say anywhere that within 120 days. He said he will end galamsey, but the timeline could be today, one year, or beyond.”
Vanderpuye urged the public to focus on the administration’s demonstrated commitment to eradicating illegal mining rather than expecting an immediate resolution to the deeply rooted issue.
“What we should be looking at is the effort being put into the fight and the level of commitment shown. It is a collective responsibility to end this menace,” he added.
His remarks come as public discussions intensify regarding the government’s anti-galamsey campaign and its broader connection to the administration’s achievements in its first 120 days in office.
In line with efforts to tackle illegal mining, Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu recently announced plans to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which currently permits mining in forest reserves.
The repeal aligns with Mahama’s pledge to amend Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, ensuring that mining activities in forest reserves are permanently outlawed.
