President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged that the challenge of illegal mining was never underestimated during his campaign, emphasizing that he was fully aware of its deeply entrenched nature.

Yet, despite its complexity, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to tackling the menace.

Speaking to workers gathered at the Black Star Square in Accra for the 2025 May Day celebration, President Mahama made it clear that the struggle to eliminate illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—requires time and persistence.

While progress may not come swiftly, he stressed that his administration would not waver in its resolve.

“The fight against galamsey is a complex one, and when I was vying for the presidency, I did not kid myself that when I come into office, I will win that fight in four months, yet we will not give up,” he said, acknowledging both the scale of the problem and the endurance required to confront it.

He further reassured the nation that the security forces remain prepared and determined to dismantle the networks fueling environmental destruction.

“Our gallant men of the Armed Forces and security services are up to the fight, and we will continue to score successes against the selfish companies and individuals who are destroying our forests and polluting our water bodies,” he declared, signaling a continued offensive against those profiting at the environment’s expense.