Fight against galamsey affected my party and presidency – Akufo-Addo

In his final State of the Nation Address on January 3, 2025, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reflected on the political and national implications of his administration's fight against illegal mining, or galamsey.

Acknowledging the challenges, the President admitted that the anti-galamsey campaign contributed to the loss of parliamentary seats for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 elections.

This, he noted, affected the composition of the eighth Parliament and influenced the implementation of his policy agenda during his second term.

Despite setbacks, President Akufo-Addo expressed hope, welcoming increased support for the anti-galamsey initiative ahead of the 2024 elections.

He stressed the importance of sustainable mineral extraction, urging Ghanaians to protect natural resources for future generations.