Delivering his final State of the Nation Address to Parliament in Accra on Friday, January 3, 2025, the President acknowledged the political ramifications of the anti-galamsey campaign.
“The fight against galamsey led to the loss of several parliamentary seats by my party in the 2020 elections, which ultimately shaped the composition of the eighth Parliament. This, in turn, influenced the implementation of my policy agenda and significantly impacted my second term as President,” he stated.
Despite these setbacks, President Akufo-Addo expressed renewed optimism about the growing support for the government’s anti-galamsey efforts, particularly as the 2024 elections approach. He highlighted the importance of continuing the fight to protect the nation’s natural resources.
“I welcome the many loud converts to the fight against galamsey that suddenly appeared in the run-up to the 2024 elections, and I pray that more of us embrace the need to safeguard our lands and waterbodies,” he remarked.
He further underscored the need for responsible mineral extraction to secure the nation’s future.
“We owe it to future generations of Ghanaians to extract our minerals in a manner that protects our lands and waterbodies,” the President urged.