Kabila Expresses Sympathy for Mahama in Galamsey Fight, Questions Industry Accountability
Political activist James Kwabena Bonfeh, widely known as Kabila, expressed pity for former President John Mahama during a heated discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show on October 11, 2025, citing Mahama’s struggle to address illegal mining (galamsey) amid past campaign statements that now “trap” him.
Kabila acknowledged Mahama’s recent anti-galamsey rhetoric, stating, “I weep for Mahama, and I pity him. If you listen to him, you realise he wants to fight galamsey, but his words will imprison him.”
He referenced Mahama’s pre-2024 election comments, which lacked a clear timeline for resolving galamsey, contrasting with the NDC’s manifesto that avoided a specific two-week promise, as clarified by NDC communicator Agbesi Nutsu.
Criticizing the broader galamsey strategy, Kabila argued that the focus on small-scale miners deflects from the role of major mining companies: “The big mining companies in this country are not innocent.”
His remarks align with recent reports, including a Forestry Commission statement linking high gold prices to galamsey’s surge, and an FDA study revealing lead contamination in food and cosmetics tied to mining pollution.
Kabila’s own experience with galamsey’s impact surfaced in related discussions, with reports noting he fell ill after consuming contaminated kontomire (taro leaves), highlighting the environmental toll on public health.
Social media on X echoed his concerns, with users like @EcoWarriorGH demanding accountability from large-scale miners and stricter regulations.
As Ghana grapples with galamsey’s devastating effects on water bodies like the Pra and Ankobra, Kabila’s comments underscore the complexity of the fight, urging a broader focus beyond small-scale operations to include corporate responsibility.
