Cadman Atta Mills, brother of the late President Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills, has criticised government’s handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, the human and environmental costs of the activity cannot be justified by the recent recovery of the Cedi.
His remarks come after President John Dramani Mahama stated during a media encounter on Wednesday, September 10, that he was exploring all available alternatives in the fight against galamsey before considering the option of declaring a state of emergency.
The president’s pronouncement has drawn reactions from civil society organisations, the opposition New Patriotic Party, and concerned individuals, including Mr. Mills.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Cadman Mills wrote: “I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC is receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life. Call it galamsey or ‘legal’ small-scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow”
His comments add to the growing chorus of voices urging the government to intensify its crackdown on illegal mining, which has been blamed for widespread environmental destruction and serious health risks.
I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE ACCOLADES PRESIDENT MAHAMA AND THE NDC IS RECEIVING FOR THE CEDI’S RECOVERY WITH MY HEALTH OR LIFE.
Call it Galamsey or “legal” small scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow pic.twitter.com/jqdY9HE9z0— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) September 14, 2025
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