Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, has sharply criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his failure to effectively tackle the issue of illegal mining, locally known as ‘galamsey’.

The practice has caused severe environmental damage and poses serious health hazards to the Ghanaian population.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Mr. Whittal expressed his frustration, highlighting the President’s failure to deliver on his commitment to combat galamsey. The CHRAJ Commissioner did not hold back in expressing his disappointment, stating that the President's broken promise has left a lasting negative impact on the country, particularly on public health.

“The Commission feels so disappointed in the fight against galamsey and artisanal mining. We are disappointed that no less a person than the President would put his presidency on the line,” Whittal remarked. “Presidents don’t promise and fail on their promises. For what has happened, which has dire implications on the health of so many Ghanaians, I must say, the government and the President have disappointed Ghanaians.”

Whittal further lent his support to calls for a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis. He stressed the importance of urgent action, emphasizing the need for the government to take the situation more seriously.

“I have heard some people call on the President to declare a state of emergency, and I actually subscribe to that. Why wait? If you look at the pollution and the effects it is already having… it appears the government seems unconcerned and is ignoring all these worrying trends. I don’t understand,” he said.

The Commissioner also raised concerns about the government’s inaction in the face of the galamsey crisis, calling for the President to make good on his pledge to protect the environment and the health of Ghanaians.

“If you win the people’s vote, you are supposed to work for them. So this is a disappointment from the government and from the President, who has a lot of human rights credentials. He should do something before leaving power,” Whittal concluded.