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Dr. Anthony Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, has raised serious concerns about the role of politicians in illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, describing it as a key obstacle to ending the practice.
Appearing on The Point of View on Channel One TV with Bernard Avle on Monday, April 28, Dr. Aubynn identified political involvement as one of the most damaging factors undermining efforts to curb illegal mining in Ghana.
“The worst of it all, and I have said and written about it in 2009, so it’s not a new thing, the worst of it all is the involvement of politicians in this business. It becomes so difficult to resolve when you have politicians, some of whom are in very leading positions, involved. You can’t successfully push them out,” he emphasized.
He explained that illegal mining is not just a technical or environmental challenge but also a deeply entrenched political issue. According to him, the influence of powerful political actors involved in or backing illegal mining makes reform efforts extremely difficult to implement.
Dr. Aubynn also cited a controversial incident involving former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a clear example of political interference in the galamsey fight. The former President publicly defended Akonta Mining—a company accused of illegal mining activities—despite evidence to the contrary.
“That is how come, I think the former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at one point in time said Akonta Mining was not doing anything illegal, even though the facts spoke otherwise,” Dr. Aubynn pointed out.
His comments highlight the ongoing challenge of eliminating illegal mining in Ghana, especially when political interests are deeply tied to the practice. For Dr. Aubynn, addressing the issue requires not just policy and enforcement, but the political will to hold all individuals—regardless of status—accountable.
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