Suame Member of Parliament John Darko has challenged the government to move beyond press conferences and assurances and take concrete action against illegal mining (galamsey) and drug trafficking linked to Ghana.

According to him, the continued destruction caused by illegal mining and reports of major international drug seizures linked to Ghana require more than political statements and assurances from the government.

In a Facebook post, Mr Darko said the issues should no longer be treated as matters of political propaganda, arguing that they directly concern the safety of citizens, the protection of Ghana’s natural resources, the integrity of state institutions and the country’s international reputation.

He questioned who is facilitating the activities and where the financiers and alleged kingpins behind them are, while also asking why investigations into major cases repeatedly appear to end with couriers and other low-level suspects.

“The government must stop treating these issues as political talking points and demonstrate, through concrete action, that no individual—regardless of political connection, wealth or influence—is above the law,” he said.

Mr Darko further urged the government to ensure that Ghana’s rivers, forests and borders are protected, alongside measures to safeguard young people from the consequences of illegal mining and drug trafficking.

He said Ghanaians deserve answers and called for action that would demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s resources, institutions and international standing.

His comments come amid a series of major international drug cases linked to Ghana, including the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine by French customs from a container that had arrived from Ghana, the interception in Australia of about 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in a charcoal consignment from Ghana, and the September 20 arrest of a 52-year-old South African national at OR Tambo International Airport after arriving from Accra with substances suspected to be heroin worth more than R2 million.