Senior Lecturer at the UPSA Law School, Ishaq Ibrahim Esq., has strongly criticized the government’s handling of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, labeling it a “con-government.”
Speaking on GHOne TV with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, he accused the ruling administration of failing to honor its commitments to environmental protection and governance integrity.
“When it comes to galamsey, we are dealing with a con-government,” he stated emphatically. He argued that while in opposition, the current government aligned with organized labor in declaring illegal mining an emergency issue, but after assuming power, it has taken actions that contradict its previous stance.
“If indeed the environment was facing an ecocide, the first priority should have been protecting it. But now that they have the opportunity, they want to amend laws to allow some form of mining in those areas,” he remarked.
Ishaq Ibrahim also emphasized the need for democratic safeguards, warning that governance cannot be about absolute power.
“Ghanaians have given you the opportunity to govern, but you must remember that in a proper democracy, there are safeguards for the minority. If the majority fails to uphold these safeguards, governance will not be smooth,” he cautioned.
He reaffirmed the role of the opposition in holding the government accountable, stating, “We equally have a mandate as the minority to hold the government to account. That is our job, the mighty minority, as they call themselves.”
