A member of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) communications team, Awal Mohammed, has claimed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government included a promise to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, known as galamsey, in their 2024 manifesto. He made this statement on the Joy Prime Insights show on October 23, 2026. According to Mohammed, the NDC's manifesto outlined measures to prevent illegal mining in forest reserves and behind water bodies.
The conversation around galamsey has gained significant attention recently, particularly after a viral video featuring the GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gymafi, discussing the regulation of illegal mining. In response to Mohammed's claims, GhanaFact reviewed the NDC's 2024 "Resetting Ghana" manifesto. The document mentions illegal mining seven times, but there is no explicit promise to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.
The NDC's manifesto does address the issue of illegal mining under the heading "PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE MINING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" on page 61. While the party emphasizes the need for responsible mining practices, there is no mention of a state of emergency. This finding contradicts Awal Mohammed's claims, which were made in reference to the NDC's manifesto.
Interestingly, several leading members of the NDC made public calls for the then-government to declare a national emergency on galamsey in the run-up to the 2024 election. For instance, now Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the current Lands Minister all made similar calls in September and October 2024.
GhanaFact had previously published an analysis report in September 2025 debunking the same claim about a promised galamsey state of emergency. The report examined the steps and missteps of the former government on the anti-galamsey fight. Furthermore, the NDC's 120-day social contract, which outlined promises for implementation in its first 120 days in office, does not mention a state of emergency promise.
The NPP's Awal Mohammed was reached out to by GhanaFact for comment on their findings, but he did not respond at the time of publication. The fact-checking exercise was conducted to verify Mohammed's claims and provide clarity on the NDC's stance on galamsey.
In conclusion, GhanaFact has rated Awal Mohammed's claim as false, finding no evidence to support the assertion that the NDC's 2024 manifesto promised to declare a state of emergency on galamsey. The claim appears to be unfounded, and the NPP communicator's assertions have been debunked by GhanaFact's research.
Key points
- - Awal Mohammed's claim that NDC's 2024 manifesto promised a state of emergency on galamsey is false. - The NDC's manifesto mentions illegal mining but does not promise a state of emergency. - Several NDC members made public calls for a galamsey state of emergency in 2024 while in opposition.
