Speaking at a policy dialogue organized by the Ghana Institute for Environmental Justice on Wednesday, Dr. Amoakoh criticized President Mahama for what she believes is a longstanding failure to take decisive action against the galamsey menace.
“We’ve had years to tackle this problem. But the truth is, galamsey is thriving because those in power either benefit from it or don’t care enough to stop it. Mahama, especially, has proven time and again that he lacks the political will,” she said.
Galamsey operations have caused massive deforestation, river pollution, and the displacement of rural communities, with devastating impacts on agriculture and health.
Yet, efforts by successive governments to curb the practice have often been seen as ineffective or short-lived.
Dr. Amoakoh’s comments follow recent reports from the Water Resources Commission and the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency, which show that over 60% of rivers in galamsey-prone areas are now classified as toxic.
In her view, the data confirms that "empty promises and committee formations" have replaced real action.
She argued that while President Mahama frequently mentions sustainable development in his public addresses, his record tells a different story.
“You can’t claim to champion sustainability and then turn a blind eye to the biggest environmental crisis in the country,” she added.
In response to Dr. Amoakoh’s remarks, the Office of the President issued a short statement refuting her claims.
“President Mahama remains committed to fighting illegal mining. Numerous initiatives, including the Community Mining Programme and taskforce deployments, have been launched under his administration to tackle the problem,” the statement read.
Political observers are divided over the impact of Dr. Amoakoh’s assertions. Some believe they will energize calls for stricter enforcement, while others see them as politically charged statements intended to undermine the President’s credibility ahead of the 2028 elections.
Meanwhile, environmental groups say the focus should shift from political blame to long-term solutions.
“We need a bipartisan national strategy, not finger-pointing,” said Nana Ofori Mensah, Executive Director of Green Ghana Alliance.