President John Dramani Mahama will lead a ruthless campaign against illegal mining like never before, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said.
The Minister disclosed that the President, together with Cabinet Ministers at a cabinet meeting held today (Thursday, August 14, 2025), made an unequivocal call for a tough and uncompromising campaign against the menace.
“I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country. President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign
against galamsey. He has not minced words at all.
“We had a brief cabinet meeting earlier today, and the President was very clear. There was no ambiguity that he will be leading a war that we have never seen, to deal with this canker, this existential threat once and for all,” Mr Ablakwa said.
Mr Ablakwa spoke to the media after signing a book of condolence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Accra to conclude the three-day opening of the book in honour of the eight victims of last week’s military helicopter crash.
Immortalising memories
The Minister said there was a need for the government and Ghanaians to commit to completing the mission the victims were pursuing.
“It is now up to us to finish the mission they were pursuing, a cause that all of us must be committed to; a cause that all of us must be committed to, to help transform and reset this nation.”
He argued that, as a nation, there must be utmost commitment so that the ultimate sacrifice of the victims would not be in vain. He stressed that honouring their memories should mean ensuring the galamsey menace, which has persisted for years, is dealt with once and for all.
Mr Ablakwa also emphasised the importance of immortalising the memories of the departed heroes by safeguarding the environment.
“We must protect our water bodies and keep this country safe for the generations coming after us,” he stated.
Appreciation
The Minister expressed gratitude to world leaders and international partners for standing in solidarity with the government, families, and people of Ghana in mourning their heroes.
“During this memorial, the national mourning, and the opening of this book of condolence, there is hardly any embassy or any international partner accredited to Ghana whose head of mission or representative has not been here.
“All of them have been united with us, grieving and mourning. I want to, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, extend our profound gratitude. World leaders have called directly, they have sent messages of condolence, they have extended their commiserations through diverse ways,” he said.
He also thanked staff of the MFA, including the Chief Director, Directors, and particularly the Protocol Department, “who have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth process for dignitaries received in the course of this tragic loss.”
