By Daniel Bampoe
In a dramatic turn of political advocacy, the New Patriotic Party, Minority in Parliament has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama and the Diplomatic Corps over what it terms a dangerous surge in electoral violence and environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, or galamsey.
The move signals growing tensions between the opposition and the government, with far-reaching implications for the democratic image and ecological future.
Electoral Violence at the Heart of Minority Protest
The catalyst for the Minority’s petition was the chaotic rerun election held in Ablekuma North on July 11, 2025.
The rerun—ordered for 19 polling stations—was meant to resolve earlier electoral disputes but instead descended into violence and confusion. In their petition, the Minority described the rerun as being “plagued by violence, intimidation, and systemic abuse,” which they say not only threatened lives but also undermined the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Citing multiple incidents, the Minority alleged that opposition figures, including Mavis Hawa Koomson, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, the NPP parliamentary candidate and Dakoa Newman, former MP for Okaikwei South were attacked by persons believed to be party thugs or state-affiliated actors.
Equally troubling were accounts of journalists from JoyNews and GHOne TV being assaulted—one reportedly by a uniformed police officer—while covering the exercise.
Polling centres mentioned in the petition include St. Peter’s Society Methodist Church, Awoshie DVLA, and Asiedu Gyedu Memorial School, all of which were sites of alleged intimidation and physical violence.
The Minority further accused individuals impersonating police officers of contributing to the chaos, and singled out senior government-affiliated figures such as Dr. Hanna Bissiw and Malik Basintale for “encouraging or celebrating” the violence, both on-air and online.
The Minority framed these incidents as constitutional violations, referencing Articles 12, 15, 17, and 41 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantee human dignity, equality before the law, and citizens’ responsibilities in defending democratic order.
Walkout
The petition followed a parliamentary walkout staged by the Minority ahead of the Mid-Year Budget review.
The Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, speaking on the floor before the protest, condemned what he called “the re-emergence of orchestrated electoral violence,” stating that his side could not, in good conscience, participate in a budget process while “our democracy is under attack.”
“We respect the Speaker’s authority,” Annoh-Dompreh said, “but the acts of violence recently witnessed, if unpunished, are tantamount to constitutional betrayal.”
Speaker Alban Bagbin acknowledged the importance of the matter and pledged that it could be taken up as a separate agenda.
However, the Minority insisted on immediate action and exited the chamber.
Key Demands on Electoral Conduct
In their petition to President Mahama, the Minority demanded:
Immediate dismissal of Dr. Bissiw and Basintale for misconduct.
A Commission of Inquiry under Article 278 of the Constitution to investigate the Ablekuma North violence.
An independent probe into the Ghana Police Service’s conduct, with specific focus on Chief Superintendent Fredrick Lumor Senanu.
Prosecution of all individuals involved in the violence.
A public apology and condemnation from the Presidency to reassure both citizens and the international community.
The petition, which was also submitted to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Maher Kheir, the European Union, and the United Nations, warns that a lack of decisive action could “erode Ghana’s democratic foundations” and “jeopardize international goodwill.”
Galamsey: A National Emergency Ignored?
Beyond electoral issues, the Minority also addressed the ongoing scourge of illegal mining, describing it as “an ecological emergency spiraling out of control.”
The opposition argues that far from eradicating galamsey, the current government has allowed its resurgence—fuelled by political interference, regulatory neglect, and security compromise.
They cited data from A Rocha Ghana and Global Forest Watch, indicating a 17% rise in river turbidity and 9% forest cover loss within six months. The situation is particularly dire in Bole Bamboi—ironically, the hometown of President Mahama—where the Yonkamba stream is reportedly polluted and unsafe.
In addition to the environmental degradation, the Minority alleges complicity by political figures and security forces in facilitating or profiting from illegal mining operations, referencing investigative reports from The Fourth Estate and IMANI Ghana.
Demands on the Environmental Front
To reverse what they describe as a “collapse of environmental stewardship,” the Minority is calling for:
A national declaration of emergency in all illegal mining zones.
Repeal of Legislative Instrument 2462, which they argue weakens environmental enforcement.
Establishment of a non-partisan, independent anti-galamsey task force.
Full empowerment of the Forestry Commission and Water Resources Commission.
Immediate rollout of a National Environmental Recovery Programme focused on afforestation and water body restoration.
Looking Ahead: The Stakes Rise
The petition concludes with a moral appeal: “May history remember this moment not for your silence, Mr. President, but for your courage to act.” It underscores the rising tension ahead of anticipated elections, where both the integrity of the ballot and environmental policy will be key electoral battlegrounds.
Observers say the government’s response—or lack thereof—could set the tone for Ghana’s democratic trajectory and determine whether the country continues to be seen as a regional model of political stability or a cautionary tale of democratic backsliding.
