Former Greater Accra Regional Minister and Tema East MP, Titus Glover, has taken a swipe at the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, urging him to prioritise tackling illegal mining instead of what he described as excessive focus on social media.
Speaking on Dwaso Nsem, Mr Glover stressed that the growing impact of galamsey requires urgent and visible leadership on the ground.
“We’re neck deep in galamsey and I will not politicise it because the devastation affects all of us,” he stated.
He argued that the Regional Minister must take a more proactive role in deploying security resources to curb illegal mining activities, particularly in hotspots such as Amansie and Ahafo Ano South West.
Mr Glover also questioned the use of military presence in the region, referencing the 4th Battalion (4BN), and suggested that a lack of decisive action is undermining efforts by John Dramani Mahama to address the crisis.
“He must be up and doing and stop joking. His eyes must be on the ground. His social media escapades are too much. He must be seen to be working,” he said.
The former minister further cited tensions in Hwidiem, warning that the situation could have escalated dangerously without intervention.
He criticised the overall progress in the fight against illegal mining, stating that despite government efforts, the expected results have not been achieved.
While acknowledging the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) Secretariat, Mr Glover maintained that responsibility ultimately lies with regional leadership.
“NAIMOS cannot be everywhere. After their operations, the Minister is supposed to take charge… As the head of the Regional Security Council, what has he put in place?” he questioned.
His remarks add to the ongoing national debate over the effectiveness of measures to combat illegal mining, which continues to pose serious environmental and economic challenges across Ghana.
