“President Mahama Never Promised to Declare a State of Emergency on Galamsey”: Godwin Edudzi Tameklo

• NPA CEO Godwin Edudzi Tameklo has denied claims that president John Mahama ever promised to declare a state of emergency on galamsey
• He challenged critics to produce video proof of Mahama making such a declaration while in opposition
• Mahama says he would only declare a state of emergency on illegal mining if the situation demands it

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has denied allegations that President John Mahama promised to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Illegal mining activities have worsened over the years, causing serious havoc to Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies.

As a result of this, many Ghanaians have called on the government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.

Some have also suggested that President John Mahama and some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while in opposition, promised to declare a state of emergency on the illegal mining menace.

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However, speaking on TV3’s Key Points show on Saturday, September 13, 2025, the NPA boss challenged anyone to produce evidence supporting claims that Mahama made such a commitment while in opposition.

“President John Dramani Mahama, then candidate Mahama, never, on any platform, promised to declare a state of emergency. I have challenged everybody, then produce for me just a video recording of President Mahama making that declaration or a proclamation that I will, with the benefit of power, declare a state of emergency,” he said.

“I remember vividly that a group had put together a coalition at the tail end and invited the main flagbearers to that programme. When President Mahama attended that programme, he was extremely cautious about the question of a state of emergency because we all do appreciate that the moment you declare a state of emergency, you change the dynamics of that locality,” he added.

President Mahama speaks on galamsey

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The conversations about the effect of illegal mining on Ghana’s natural reserves heightened after President Mahama’s Meet the Press encounter held recently.

During his first media encounter on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, President Mahama acknowledged the growing calls for drastic action in the fight against illegal mining.

However, the president stated he would only declare a state of emergency on galamsey when it becomes necessary.

Manasseh questions Mahama’s commitment to fighting galamsey

Meanwhile, renowned Ghanaian investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has questioned President Mahama’s commitment to the fight against galamsey.

The investigative journalist stated that there is a lack of leadership and desire on the part of the president to end the galamsey menace.

“President Mahama has been very disappointing. The decay did not start in the last eight years of Akufo-Addo, as the president said. I was a journalist when President Mahama was president. In his first term, I did not see the seriousness in fighting the menace. And his body language doesn’t seem to show that it will be any different,” he said.

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Watch the video below:

Ghanaians react to Edudzi Tameklo’s claims

Ghanaians on social media have reacted to Edudzi Tameklo’s comemnts regarding the calls for the president to declare a state of emergency on galamsey, with many expressing disappointment.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:

@kelewelePresido said:

“You’re shifting the goalpost, that’s not the issue here. He sat silently and watched on as his communication team swarmed the entire media riding on this mantra. They said, He agreed. Case close!”

@Nacee67_Yaw also said:

“Y’all created the impression that the incoming NDC gov’t would put na end to galamsey within 2 weeks and it’s been 9 months since you took over. That’s what we’re asking about.”

@1___Jose commented:

“Waaa look. sn’t governance for the people by the people? So if Prez didn’t say so and the people wants it, he should do so erh.”

Joseph Yamin urges Mahama to ban galamsey

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Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that Josep Yamin, the NDC National Organiser accused the government’s anti-illegal mining task force of extorting illegal miners.

Joseph Yamin stated that the task force was profiting from the galamsey menace rather than combating illegal mining.

The NDC official called on President John Mahama to urgently halt all mining operations and impose a national ban.

Source: YEN.com.gh