Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that President John Dramani Mahama will lead a very ruthless and relentless fight against galamsey.
According to Ablakwa, Ghana is going to see John Mahama lead the charge to stop the existential threat of illegal mining confronting Ghanaians.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, August 14, Mr Ablakwa stated, “I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed before in this country. President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless fight against galamsey.
He didn’t mince his words. We had a brief cabinet meeting, and the President was very clear that he would lead a war we have never seen before to stop this existential threat confronting us,” he stated.
Ablakwa’s announcement follows the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Also, Sam Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, has said an all-out war must be declared on galamsey in memory of all those who died in the tragic August 6 helicopter crash.
According to him, there must be decisive action in the fight against galamsey, which is non-negotiable.
Sam George noted that it would be a disservice to the memory of the eight Ghanaians and his colleagues if decisive action is not taken to end illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Joy FM Super Morning Show, Sam George stated, “My belief and resolve in the fight against galamsey is as strong as it has ever been”
“I lost my big brother, Kofi Omane Boamah, and seven other sons of our land because of galamsey. The least we can do in their memory is to wage an all-out war on it.”
“Omane had refused to sit in helicopters or planes since he became Defence Minister. This was literally one of the only times he agreed to fly – and it was because of galamsey. That should tell you how deeply invested he was in this fight,” Mr George noted.
He added that the late Omane Boamah believed in using both conventional methods and digital technology to fight galamsey.
Sam George revealed, “As Communications Minister, Omane had given me an assignment in the fight against galamsey. He believed in using both conventional methods and digital technology as part of a holistic solution.”
“It would be a disservice to the memory of our colleagues if we do not take decisive action. We failed to act meaningfully after the tragic death of Major Mahama, and now eight more brave souls have been lost. How many more are we waiting for?”
“There must be decisive action; it’s non-negotiable,” he said.
In addition, Dr Tony Aidoo, a former Ambassador to the Netherlands, has boldly told President John Dramani Mahama to kill the illegal mining menace commonly known as galamsey before it kills his cabinet.
According to Dr Tony Aidoo, President Mahama must not let the eight people who died in last Wednesday’s helicopter crash go in vain.
He emphasised that the best tribute to the eight fallen Ghanaian heroes is for John Mahama to end the galamsey menace once and for all.
Dr Aidoo noted that victims, including two cabinet ministers, lost their lives in the line of duty in an initiative to tackle galamsey.
Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, August 9, Dr Tony Aidoo stated, “Why were they in the air? They were in the air because they were going to fight galamsey”.
“President Mahama must kill the galamsey menace before it ends his members [of cabinet].”
He added, “God gives, yes, but God does not take innocent lives. People die by their own destruction or by lifestyle. What is President Mahama waiting for? Yesterday, I heard Kwame Mpianim say we must ban galamsey for three months.
In fact, my first reaction after the Chief of Staff gave us the details and confirmed the death was to send the message directly to President Mahama, and I said these eight patriotic souls lost their lives in the fight against galamsey.
So for God’s sake, Mr President, don’t let them die in vain. Stop the galamsey now. That’s the best tribute we can say to these patriotic deaths.”
Dr Tony Aidoo further revealed his relationship with the late Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Sarpong, and Dr Murtala Mohammed.
He added, “To be frank, I had a personal connection with only three of the unfortunate victims of the helicopter crash — Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Sarpong and Dr Murtala Mohammed”.
“Anytime I remember the departed, it is usually with teary eyes, but I am not here to eulogise nor to pay another apologetic tribute. This will be a very tiny voice among the worldwide tributes following the avoidable national tragedy”.
Dr Tony Aidoo added, “Even though faith says we must eulogise the dead, we must look behind and look for the cause — why did they die? People will say, ‘Oh, the Lord gave us and the Lord takes.’ I say that God did not take. It was we who gave by our mistake of an avoidable death.”
Watch the video below:
I can confirm to you that you are going to see a [galamsey] fight that has never been witnessed in this country. President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against galamsey – Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/Xov8jgtL1C
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) August 14, 2025