A netizen has called out the presidential staffer, Bridget Otoo, following her social media post re-echoing President Mahama’s comments about the livelihoods of about 4 million Ghanaians depending on small-scale mining.
John Mahama, during his media encounter on Wednesday 10, September, 2025, revealed that the livelihoods of about 4 million Ghanaians depend on small-scale mining.
According to Mahama, the fight against galamsey is going to be a process, which is not going to be an event.
Speaking at his media encounter in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, John Mahama explained, “ I didn’t expect that in 8 months we would declare victory in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), as the livelihoods of about 4 million Ghanaians depend on small-scale mining. So, it’s going to be a process. It’s not going to be an event, but we will not give up. We are determined to get on top of the situation.
He added, “The GoldBod was introduced as part of the reforms to streamline the operations of gold buying in the country. If the gold board was not introduced, I mean, those who were profiting from the small-scale mining sector were the foreign traders (sic). In six months, we have exported over $6 billion worth of gold. About $4 billion of that money was going to go into the pockets of foreign traders”.
“So, the first thing is, you shut the stable door so that the horse doesn’t escape, which is what we’ve done. So, if it’s from illegal sources or it’s from legal sources, it is retained in the country because at least it’s our land that is being destroyed. So, let us get the benefit of it instead of foreign traders. So, that’s the first thing,” he added.
Bridget Otoo on X, quoting from President John Mahama, stated, “The livelihoods of about 4 million Ghanaians depend on small-scale mining”.
Her post was met by a sharp reply from a netizen.
According to the netizen, when did Bridget Otoo realise that the livelihoods of about 4 million Ghanaians depend on small-scale mining?
The netizen in his post wrote, “Shame on you. When did you realise this?”.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has dared the Mahama government to name just one licensed small-scale miner operating responsibly.
In a statement, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey dismissed the President’s claim as misplaced.
Part of the GCAG statement read, “His [President Mahama’s] withdrawal of police forces and accusation that they cannot distinguish legal from illegal miners is misplaced. The IGP’s men, though not perfect, were fearless and had brought the situation under control. We challenge the Presidency to name a single licensed small-scale mining entity that is mining responsibly on the ground”.
“This is not the leadership expected for a country facing environmental suicide, contaminated cocoa exports, and rising health crises now and for our newborns,” they added.
Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama has said implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort.
According to John Mahama, his administration is not in a rush to declare a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining.
He noted growing public pressure to take drastic measures on galamsey but warned against resorting to a state of emergency prematurely.
Speaking at his media encounter in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, John Mahama explained, “I’ve been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we’ve not exhausted the powers we even have without a state of emergency”.
“We have the opportunity to arrest anybody, to confiscate any such thing. The laws for forest protection and all that give us enough powers to be able to act”, he added.
John Mahama highlighted that a state of emergency should be considered only as a last resort.
“Implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort. So for now, let’s exercise all the powers we have — and if it becomes necessary for a state of emergency, then we look at it,” he added.
John Mahama further announced that his government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, which has long threatened Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
He announced that the task force’s operations have led to the apprehension of hundreds of excavators, water pumps, and other heavy equipment used in galamsey activities.
“We’re taking decisive action to protect our environment and natural resources from destruction. A dedicated national task force is in place, actively combating the menace of illegal mining.
“As a result of their operations, hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other heavy equipment have been seized. Disrupting the networks that have long exploited our rivers. Nine forest reserves have been reclaimed from the grips of illegal miners,” he said.
John Mahama also added that his administration has not granted a single mining licence for operations within Ghana’s forest reserves after his return to office.
“Let me be clear. Since my administration resumed office, not a single licence has been issued to any company to mine in our forest reserves”, he confidently added.
See the post below:
Shame on u. When did you realize this.
— Nationalist (@OBEK_GH) September 11, 2025