Former Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ansu Kumi, has challenged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to explain why it has not declared a state of emergency over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, despite earlier assurances of decisive action against the menace.

Mr. Kumi said the government’s failure to invoke emergency measures raises serious questions about its commitment to tackling the environmental crisis, particularly as illegal mining continues to threaten water bodies, forests and farmlands across the country.

He recalled assurances that the government would declare a state of emergency within weeks or months of assuming office if the galamsey crisis persisted.

“Why is it that the state of emergency is not being declared now? Is it the case that the galamsey menace has gone down or reduced? I’m sure your guess is as good as mine,” he remarked.

According to the former MCE in an interview Asaase News, the continued destruction of Ghana’s natural resources suggests that the urgency promised by the government has not translated into the level of action expected by citizens.

‘Things are not going the way they promised’

Mr. Kumi’s criticism extends beyond the galamsey crisis, with the former NPP government appointee accusing the NDC administration of failing to deliver on several of its major campaign promises.

He argued that the NDC’s claim that it inherited a “completely broken” economy from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration must now be assessed against its own performance nearly halfway through its four-year term.

He said the economic realities confronting Ghanaians do not reflect the assurances given during the NDC’s campaign.

“You and I would attest to the fact that things are not going the way they promised,” Mr. Kumi said.

He cited the government’s proposed 24-hour economy, job creation agenda, fuel prices and its approach to the galamsey menace as areas where he believes the administration has fallen short of expectations.

On the 24-hour economy policy, Mr. Kumi questioned whether the initiative has so far generated the level of employment opportunities promised to Ghanaians, particularly young people.

He said the policy was presented as a major economic intervention capable of creating jobs and stimulating businesses, but argued that the promised transformation had yet to become evident on the ground.

Mr. Kumi also criticised prevailing fuel prices, insisting that they do not reflect the expectations created by the NDC before it assumed office.

“Look at the prices of fuel. I’m sure you know that is not what they promised Ghanaians,” he stated.

The former MCE further questioned the government’s economic management, citing expenditure associated with its sterilisation programme as part of what he described as evidence that some of its economic policies were not delivering the expected outcomes.

He maintained that although the NDC had consistently criticised the previous NPP administration over its management of the economy, the current government must now be judged by its own policies and results.

“What it means is that with what is happening, we are not getting the kind of promises that Ghanaians were given,” he said.

Mr. Kumi contrasted the NDC’s performance with what he described as the achievements of the NPP administration under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He cited the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, the National Identification Authority (NIA) initiative and the Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) as some of the major interventions implemented during the NPP’s eight years in office.

“Look at Free SHS; we did it. We did NIA and quite a number of them. Look at NABCo the number of young people that the then government was able to employ. We were able to do all these within those eight years,” Mr. Kumi said.

He argued that despite the economic difficulties and criticisms that confronted the Akufo-Addo administration, the NPP government implemented major social intervention and infrastructure programmes during its two terms.

Looking ahead to the 2028 general elections, Mr. Kumi expressed confidence that Ghanaians would carefully compare the NDC’s campaign promises with its performance in government before deciding on their next political choice.

He predicted that the NPP, under its 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, would emerge as the preferred alternative.

According to him, Dr. Bawumia offers a stronger option for economic management and accelerated national development.

“I am sure by 2028, Ghanaians, based on all that they said before they came into government and as against what they are doing now, will know that the NPP, led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will be the better alternative to lead this country,” he said.

Kumi maintained that the NPP had demonstrated its capacity to implement large-scale social programmes and pursue development initiatives, expressing optimism that voters would give the party another opportunity to govern.

He urged Ghanaians to scrutinise the NDC government’s record against its campaign pledges as the country approaches the 2028 polls.

*Report by Daniel Donkor, Bono Region