Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (KON) and Davis Ansah Opoku (OPK)
• KON, OPK Take Firm Stand Against Illegal Mining
In a fiery declaration that’s sure to ruffle feathers within his party, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the MP for Ofoase Ayirebi and Minister for Works and Housing has made it crystal clear that he won’t sit by and watch illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—destroy his constituency’s water bodies in the name of securing votes.
During a pre-election community engagement, Oppong Nkrumah delivered a fiery speech, directly opposing the stance of several high-ranking New Patriotic Party (NPP) members who have resisted calls to ban illegal mining, also known as galamsey, ahead of the elections.
“Today, some are saying we should ignore those mining on our water bodies because if we stop them, they won’t vote for us,” the outspoken MP said. “I want to be painfully blunt: if any Member of Parliament somewhere has decided to allow people to mine in their waters and destroy them, those of us in Ofoase Ayirebi would not allow it. That’s where we drink from!”
He further revealed that local authorities, including the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the police, have been actively cracking down on illegal miners in the area, with his personal financial support. “I’ve contributed seven thousand Ghana cedis to help whenever they embark on raids,” he said.
Oppong Nkrumah’s stance comes in sharp contrast to the growing chorus within the NPP, led by George Mireku Duker, MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem and Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and other influential figures like Kate Gyamfua, National Women’s Organizer of the party. They have been vocally campaigning against any ban on mining activities, arguing that it would cost the NPP votes in mining communities.
But the Ofoase Ayirebi MP was clear: no vote is worth the destruction of the environment and the very water his people depend on for survival.
Echoing similar sentiments, Davis Ansah Opoku, MP for Mpraeso, also took to the platform “X” to declare his constituency’s firm stance against illegal mining. He reminded the public that Ghanaian laws require the consent of local communities before mining can take place—and his people have spoken loud and clear.
“Most of my people have made it clear that they are against mining, so I resolve not to allow anyone to come to my area to engage in it,” Opoku stated. “We say no to the destruction of our lands and river bodies that have fed us all these years.”
He went on to boast about successfully fending off multiple attempts by individuals and institutions to mine illegally in his constituency over the past four years, showing no signs of backing down.
The rift within the NPP over the issue of illegal mining is becoming increasingly evident. While MPs like Oppong Nkrumah and Opoku have made their opposition to galamsey crystal clear, others—such as Nana Ayew Afriye, MP for Effiduase/Asokore, and Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs—are aligned with Mireku Duker and Kate Gyamfua in opposing any ban on mining activities.
As the battle for votes intensifies ahead of the elections, it seems the NPP is walking a tightrope. With some leaders prioritizing short-term political gain over long-term environmental sustainability, the party risks alienating a significant portion of voters concerned about the future of Ghana’s natural resources.
For now, MPs like Oppong Nkrumah and Opoku are standing firm, determined to protect their communities—even if it means going against the grain within their own party. Whether their bold stance will pay off at the ballot box remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle lines over illegal mining in Ghana have been drawn, and it’s not just the rivers and forests at stake, but the very soul of the NPP.
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