The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of being the main actors and enablers behind the country’s illegal mining menace, locally known as galamsey.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong alleged that several NDC Members of Parliament and party executives were directly involved in illegal mining operations across the country.

“It is very clear to Ghanaians that the real galamseyers and enablers of galamsey are in the NDC. From their MPs to party executives, they have taken over almost all the galamsey sites in the country and are mining irresponsibly and with impunity,” he said.

Kodua Frimpong further alleged that some NDC-linked illegal miners had attacked military officers deployed to enforce anti-galamsey laws, undermining the state’s efforts to curb the practice.

He lamented the environmental impact of illegal mining, saying increased pollution in major rivers had forced some water treatment plants to shut down, worsening the nation’s water supply challenges.

The NPP official maintained that while his party recognises the severity of the problem, it remains committed to supporting the government’s crackdown on illegal mining, unlike the NDC, which he accused of politicising the issue during its time in opposition.

“We are not going to behave like them when they were in opposition, where they made it look like galamsey was an Akufo-Addo creation. The NPP is a responsible party and will help tackle this generational crisis for the love of country,” he said.

Illegal mining has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, contaminating water bodies, degrading forests, and threatening livelihoods in several mining communities.