The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western North Region has strongly criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, accusing it of failing to honour its 2024 campaign promise to decisively end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In a press release dated January 5, 2026, and signed by the Regional Communications Officer, Addo Yaw Harry (Ogyaba), the NPP described recent comments by the NDC Western North Regional Chairman and Council of State Member, Mr. Michael Aidoo, as a “clear admission of failure” after one year of NDC governance.
According to the NPP, the NDC campaigned on bold assurances to eliminate galamsey using modern tools such as artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, and strict law enforcement.
However, the party claims that none of these measures has been implemented since the NDC assumed office, while illegal mining activities have rather intensified, especially in the Western North Region.
The NPP alleges that the situation has led to loss of lives, severe pollution of major rivers, including the Tano and Sui, destruction of cocoa farms and forest reserves, and increased health risks to communities due to chemical pollution and unsafe water sources.
The party further raised concerns about the alleged involvement of some top NDC leaders, regional appointees, and Members of Parliament in illegal mining activities, citing petitions and complaints from traditional authorities in parts of the region.
The NPP claims that instead of acting decisively, the NDC regional leadership has allegedly defended or shielded individuals accused of involvement in galamsey.
The NPP maintains that the fight against illegal mining requires strong political will, integrity, and firm action, and insists that the people of Western North deserve accountable leadership, environmental protection, and safe livelihoods.
Below is the full press release issued by the NPP Western North Regional Communications Directorate:
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY
WESTERN NORTH REGION
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
5th January, 2026
-For Immediate Release-
NDC’S GALAMSEY ‘JOURNEY’ LEADS TO DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND DECEIT
The statement by the NDC Western North Regional Chairman and Member of the Council of State, Mr. Michael Aidoo, that “when it comes to galamsey, our journey is far from over” is a clear and public admission of failure by the NDC government after one year in office.
It is important to remind Ghanaians that the NDC campaigned vigorously in 2024 on a promise to end galamsey.
Their manifesto pledged decisive action, including the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), modern surveillance systems, and strict law enforcement to eliminate illegal mining. While in opposition, leading NDC figures loudly accused the NPP of not doing enough and assured the nation that galamsey would be decisively dealt with under an NDC government.
Today, one year into office, not a single AI-based system has been implemented, no coherent national strategy is visible, and galamsey has rather escalated dangerously, particularly in the Western North Region.
Under the NDC’s one year in government:
More than 15 lives have been lost in galamsey-related and illegal timber activities in the region, an unprecedented record in the first year of any government under the 1992 Constitution.
The Tano River is more destroyed than ever before. The Sui River has been heavily polluted under the leadership of these NDC kingpins.
Cocoa farms, forest reserves, and livelihoods are being destroyed at an alarming and unprecedented rate.
Communities are suffering from chemical poisoning, unsafe water, and environmental devastation.
More worrying is the growing body of allegations that top NDC leaders, regional appointees, and some Members of Parliament are deeply entangled in galamsey activities. A notable example is the Aowin Member of Parliament, whom the Aowin Traditional Council, after its own investigations, formally petitioned both the NDC Regional Chairman and the President over alleged involvement in illegal mining within the Aowin Forest Reserve.
Similar illegal mining activities continue unchecked in the Akontombra District, under the watch of the MP and the DCE.
Instead of taking firm action, the NDC Regional Chairman has consistently been seen clearing, defending, and shielding appointees accused of supervising or benefiting from these illegal activities.
While ordinary citizens suffer, rivers die, cocoa farms are destroyed, and young people lose their lives, some NDC leaders are amassing wealth, buying expensive cars and building mansions, raising serious questions about who truly benefits from galamsey under this government.
The New Patriotic Party maintains that galamsey cannot be fought with slogans, excuses, or selective silence. It requires political will, integrity, and action, qualities glaringly absent under the NDC after one year in office.
The people of Western North deserve clean water, protected forests, safe livelihoods, and accountable leadership, not excuses from those who promised solutions but are now presiding over worsening destruction.
Signed
Addo Yaw Harry (Ogyaba)
Regional Communications Officer
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Western North Region
