Prof. Appiagyei-Atua Urges President Mahama to Demand Sammy Gyamfi's Retraction on Galamsey
Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua has urged President John Dramani Mahama to publicly disavow and demand a retraction of statements made by Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi regarding illegal mining.
In Brief
- •Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua has urged President John Dramani Mahama to publicly disavow and demand a retraction of statements made by Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi regarding illegal mining.
- •Speaking on Channel One TV, the University of Ghana law lecturer stated that silence from the presidency risks being interpreted as tacit approval of Gyamfi's remarks on galamsey.
- •Appiagyei-Atua stressed that public statements by government appointees cannot alter Ghana's statutory legal framework governing mining activities.
Why It Matters
The public intervention underscores ongoing sensitivity surrounding government messaging on illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), which continues to inflict severe environmental damage on Ghana's forests, water bodies, and farmland. Ensuring consistent policy alignment among public appointees is vital to avoid signaling a softening of enforcement measures to illegal miners and to uphold public trust in legal regulatory frameworks.
Key Details
- Key Speaker
- Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua (University of Ghana School of Law)
- Appointee Cited
- Sammy Gyamfi (CEO, Ghana Gold Board)
- Head of State
- President John Dramani Mahama
- Media Platform
- Channel One TV (Interviewed by Bernard Avle)
- Core Policy Concern
- Government stance on illegal small-scale mining (galamsey)
Context & Background
Illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, remains one of Ghana's primary public policy challenges due to its significant contribution to water pollution, deforestation, and destruction of arable farmland.
Original Reporting & Sources
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