Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has reaffirmed the government’s resolve to clamp down on illegal mining, stressing that no government official found complicit will receive protection from President John Dramani Mahama.
His comments follow a call by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh for weekly briefings from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on the worsening destruction of forest reserves and water bodies.
Addressing Parliament, Ayariga said the current administration is committed to enforcing the law, even against its own appointees, contrasting the stance with what he described as inaction by former President Akufo-Addo during similar allegations under his tenure.
“Today, any government official found to be aiding and abetting will be arrested. Any party official, no matter how high—whether at the national or regional level—if you are caught, the president will not intervene. Due process will take its course,” he emphasized.
He added that unlike in the past, where some regional chairmen were publicly linked to illegal mining without consequence—even when reports were submitted by ministers—the current government will not tolerate such impunity.
