Policy think tank leader Franklin Cudjoe has laid part of the blame for the August 6 helicopter crash which killed eight people, including two cabinet ministers on what he calls years of inadequate action against illegal mining.
The victims, among them Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and senior military officers, were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP), an initiative aimed at formalising and regulating small-scale mining. The aircraft went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District, cutting short a mission directly tied to combating the “galamsey” menace.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, the IMANI Africa President expressed his condolences but argued that the tragedy could have been avoided if the previous administration had tackled illegal mining more decisively.
“It’s quite interesting that we are making it look as though something should be shared politically. I think that if something significant had been done about it, probably in the last 5, 6 or 7 years, we wouldn’t be here.” Cudjoe said.
Cudjoe’s remarks add to growing pressure on the government to reassess its approach to the galamsey crisis, which continues to damage farmlands, pollute water bodies, and disrupt local economies. The crash, he suggested, should serve not only as a national moment of mourning but as a call for bold, coordinated policy action to prevent future tragedies.
As Ghana seeks to balance economic opportunities in small-scale mining with environmental protection and community welfare, observers say this latest incident reinforces the urgency for a results-driven strategy that prioritises safety, regulatory enforcement, and sustainable livelihoods.
