Ashigbey demands justice on galamsey: Where are the other kingpins, he asks Mahama

Following the sentencing of galamsey operator Wontumi, political commentator Ken Ashigbey has intensified calls on President John Mahama to account for what he describes as selective prosecution of illegal mining kingpins. Ashigbey's remarks underscore growing scrutiny over whether the government's crackdown on galamsey represents a comprehensive enforcement strategy or targeted action against specific individuals.

The Wontumi case and questions of consistency

Wontumi's conviction marks a high-profile moment in Ghana's battle against illegal mining, which has devastated water bodies, farmland and mining communities across the country. However, Ashigbey argues that a single prosecution, however significant, falls short of tackling the broader galamsey ecosystem. He has publicly questioned the whereabouts and legal status of other prominent figures allegedly involved in illegal mining operations, suggesting that enforcement efforts may lack the breadth needed to address the problem systemically.

The focus on individual convictions, Ashigbey implies, risks creating a false impression of action whilst leaving enablers, financiers and larger networks untouched. This critique reflects broader concerns within civil society and among citizens that galamsey operations continue with apparent impunity in many districts, particularly in mining hotspots across the Ashanti, Western and Northern regions.

Campaign promises versus on-the-ground reality

Ashigbey has specifically referenced President Mahama's 2024 campaign commitments to crack down hard on galamsey and restore Ghana's water bodies and agricultural lands. The opposition figure's challenge suggests those promises have not materialised at the scale or speed many Ghanaians expected. With galamsey operations continuing to pollute rivers including the Ankobra, Offin and Pra, and with mercury contamination remaining a public health concern, pressure is mounting on the government to demonstrate comprehensive action rather than isolated prosecutions.

The government has previously stated its commitment to dismantling galamsey networks, but implementation has proven difficult. Prosecuting major operators requires coordination between mining authorities, law enforcement, financial regulators and courts—a multi-agency effort that has historically struggled with resource constraints and coordination challenges.

Why it matters for Ghana

Galamsey represents one of Ghana's most pressing environmental and developmental crises. Illegal mining operations poison water supplies that millions of Ghanaians depend on, undermine legitimate small-scale mining, destabilise farming communities and contribute to child labour and trafficking. The sector generates an estimated two billion dollars annually, much of it unregulated and untaxed, yet the social costs—contaminated aquifers, eroded riverbanks and compromised food security—are borne by ordinary Ghanaians.

Ashigbey's questions therefore touch on fundamental accountability: if Mahama's administration is serious about tackling galamsey, enforcement must be visible, comprehensive and applied consistently across all actors, regardless of their political connections or wealth. Selective prosecution risks reinforcing public cynicism about governance and the rule of law.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Wontumi's sentencing signals the start of a broader crackdown or remains an isolated case. Ghanaians across affected communities are watching closely.