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Claim: An X user claims Ghanaian President John Mahama said he could not fight illegal mining localised as galamsey because his people are involved in the destructive activity.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s research showed President Mahama did not say he could not fight galamsey because his people were involved, as alleged. The video accompanying the X post was a 2022 interview with Mahama, the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate. In the interview granted to Accra-based TV3, Mahama questioned the commitment of his predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo, to protect the country’s water bodies and forest reserves against illegal mining.
Full Text
An X user, @tesconinformant, claimed Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has said he could not combat illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, because his people are involved in the activity.
There are reports about renewed activities of illegal miners across the country that are destroying water bodies and forest reserves.
Some Ghanaians here and here have urged Mahama to focus on retooling the police and soldiers to end the environmental destruction.
However, an X user, @tesconinformant, has alleged that Mahama could not address the issue because his people are neck-deep in illegal mining.
“How do you expect me to fight Galamsey when my people are involved in it?” Mahama, allegedly quizzed.
The social media platform has disclosed that the post made on Mar. 26, 2025, has received over 15,342 views, 19 comments, 26 reposts, 155 likes, and 23 bookmarks as of Mar. 27, 2025.
Commenting on the post, an X user, @PrinceHotor, wrote:
“Eeei, the video you are showing has highlights saying Prez Akuffo Addo must resign, and you claim this is current. This attitude might make the NPP lose in 2028 because you think spreading lies will not be noticed.”
Another X user, @KyleStephen77, also wrote:
“How can you expect him to fight galamsey when his own people are doing it?”…you changed “him” to “me,” also “his” into “my”…. party of intellects indeed. No wonder you’re the ones growing up to become the successors of Mr Afenyo Markin.”
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in Ghana
Verification
DUBAWA’s research showed President Mahama did not say he could not fight galamsey because his people were involved, as alleged.
The video accompanying the X post was a 2022 interview with Mahama, the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate.
In the interview granted to Accra-based TV3, Mahama questioned the resolve and commitment of his predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo, to protect the country’s water bodies and forest reserves against illegal mining.
“How can you expect him [Akufo-Addo] to fight galamsey when his own people are involved in it?” Mahama asked the interviewer.
See Mahama’s comment from minutes 0:38 to 0:43 of the video Accra-based TV3 posted on YouTube.
Mahama continued: “Actions speak louder than words…our river bodies are still the coffee colour they were. Maybe they were Milo before, but they look like coffee now [and] are getting darker.”
See minutes 0:38 to 0:43 of the video Accra-based TV3 posted on YouTube for Mahama’s comment.
Mahama’s 2022 galamsey comment was directed at then-president Nana Akufo-Addo and how he handled the issue.
Also, DUBAWA’s Google keyword search findings showed no credible media outlet in the country had published a news report attributing the claim to Mahama.
Conclusion
President Mahama has not said he could not fight galamsey because his people were involved, as the X user has alleged.
