According to him, the problem is particularly dire in his home region, the Central Region, where many rivers and water bodies have been heavily contaminated by galamsey activities.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Dr Mills recounted his recent experience in Ghana after being away for three years.

“You know, I was in Ghana very recently. One of the things I didn’t tell you is that I was very sick,” he said. “I had been away for only three years, but just drinking the water in the Central Region, not even drinking, but using it to cook and using it to brush my teeth, I had a major stomach upset almost all the time that I was there.”

He stressed that the experience brought home the reality of the environmental crisis. “That was a click to me that this thing is not some theory, and you don’t have to be in the mining zone in order to be affected by it,” Dr Mills added.

Dr Mills also lamented the long-term consequences of illegal mining on future generations, warning that children are at risk of being born with severe health conditions due to exposure to toxic substances.

“Its impact on generations to come, children being born with heavy metal…” he said, trailing off as he reflected on the devastating effects.

Scientific research in Ghana has shown that mercury and other harmful chemicals used in illegal mining have seeped into rivers and streams, posing significant health risks to communities that rely on these water sources.

Dr Mills criticised the government’s handling of the fight against galamsey, arguing that authorities appear conflicted and lack the political will to confront the menace decisively.

He further backed calls for a state of emergency, insisting that only bold and urgent action can protect Ghana’s environment and safeguard public health.

Source: Albert Kuzor

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Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Dr Mills expressed deep frustration over what he sees as a lack of seriousness and commitment in addressing the menace, which continues to destroy water bodies, farmlands, and communities across the country.

“The way we are handling this thing (illegal mining) it is a scandal,” he said bluntly.

Dr Mills further suggested that the government’s efforts appear conflicted and half-hearted, undermining progress in tackling the problem.

“I see, and maybe I am wrong, but I don’t think I am, that the government is a little conflicted in its fight against galamsey. It is not taking it seriously,” he added.

A Persistent Advocate Against Galamsey

This is not the first time Dr Mills has spoken out on the issue. In recent months, he has used his social media platforms to raise awareness about the devastating effects of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and public health.

Earlier this week, he revealed how water pollution caused by illegal mining had personally affected him during a recent visit to Ghana. He recounted falling ill after using contaminated water for cooking and brushing his teeth, even without drinking it directly.

That experience, he said, drove home the urgent need for action, warning that mercury and other toxic substances from galamsey are silently harming communities far beyond mining zones.

A Warning for the Future

Dr Mills cautioned that without decisive measures, Ghana faces dire long-term consequences, including severe health crises and the collapse of livelihoods for future generations.

He reiterated his call for bold interventions, suggesting that the scale of the destruction warrants declaring a state of emergency to confront the menace head-on.

“The ongoing destruction of our water bodies and farmlands is alarming. If we don’t act decisively now, the health and future of our children will be at risk,” he warned.

Source: Myjoyonline

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Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Dr Mills argued that the environmental destruction and health hazards caused by galamsey far outweigh concerns about temporarily suspending certain individual rights under a state of emergency.

“I think it’s a bit ironic to say that a state of emergency involves suspension of rights and rights of people,” he said.

Dr Mills stressed that the personal freedoms of illegal miners cannot supersede the fundamental rights of Ghanaians to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment.

“When indeed, the people who are illegally mining really have no right to be sentencing me to death. Their right to pursue their selfish economic interest ends right there, when it starts to affect my well-being,” he declared.

Calls Out Political Influence

Dr Mills also highlighted what he described as the “political economic dimension” of galamsey, urging authorities to confront the powerful forces behind the illegal trade.

“There is a political-economic dimension to this thing that I think is the elephant in the room. Let’s talk about it. Who is doing the galamsey? Who is bankrolling it? Who is getting the licenses?” he asked.

He questioned whether these vested interests are influencing the state’s apparent hesitation to impose drastic but necessary measures.

“Can it possibly affect the reluctance of the government to suspend the rights of these people? I don’t find it convincing,” Dr Mills added.

He further warned that the damage caused by galamsey poses a far greater threat to the nation than concerns over press freedoms or other civil liberties that may be affected by a state of emergency.

“Somehow, if you declare a state of emergency, the right of the press to find out what is happening… I think the damage to my health, the damage to Ghana, the damage to future generations is important enough that for this alone, there are no rights to kill, and nobody should be given the license to kill,” he said.

Source: Emmanuel Tetteh

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He argued that the human and environmental devastation caused by the activity cannot be justified by the recent appreciation of the cedi.

His comments come in response to President John Mahama’s remarks during a media engagement on Wednesday, September 10, where the President indicated that government was considering all options in the fight against galamsey, including the possibility of declaring a state of emergency.

Mr. Mills noted that regardless of whether it is described as galamsey or “legal” small-scale mining backed by politically connected financiers, the destructive impact on communities and the environment remains the same.

I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE ACCOLADES PRESIDENT MAHAMA AND THE NDC IS RECEIVING FOR THE CEDI’S RECOVERY WITH MY HEALTH OR LIFE.
Call it Galamsey or “legal” small scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow pic.twitter.com/jqdY9HE9z0

— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) September 14, 2025

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC is receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life.

“Call it galamsey or ‘legal’ small-scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow.”

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO ACT?? MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE WATER THAT FEEDS A HUGE CHUNK OF THE CENTRAL REGION–THANKS TO “LEGAL SMALL-SCALE MINING”! pic.twitter.com/CzsJvsus4t

— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) September 12, 2025

Source: Adomonline

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In a detailed post on X, Cadman Mills had warned that early signs of sycophancy were becoming apparent, with some individuals and institutions excessively flattering Mahama and his family in an attempt to gain favor.

Mills specifically pointed to public calls for Mahama’s son, Sharaf Mahama, to be appointed Minister of Sports due to his personal interest in boxing, which he viewed as a form of sycophantic behavior.

“But a JDM-led NDC administration is not new to the Ghanaian political scene: It held office from 2013–2017. Ghanaians can hope that this administration will be ‘better’ than its first incarnation (because ‘we are not going back!’). But it is not a foregone conclusion. Already, signs of sycophancy are starting to rear their ugly heads,” Mills wrote.

In her response, Bawah Mogtari dismissed the calls for Sharaf Mahama to be appointed Sports Minister as mere expressions of excitement rather than sycophancy. She described the suggestions as ‘romanticism’ and emphasized that such comments should not be taken seriously.

“Similarly, calls by some youth closely associated with our Brother Sharaf Mahama, as well as others who worked tirelessly to secure this victory, are simply out of excitement. Certainly, statements made by a few young people should not be given too much importance. Sharaf, like any young person, is capable of serving our great nation at all levels. You know the President-elect well enough, and indeed your nephew Fiifi is one of Sharaf’s friends, and they are both fine young men,” she posted on X on December 29, 2024.

Bawah Mogtari further emphasized that the incoming Mahama administration is focused on the work at hand and that trivial matters like this should not distract from the serious task of governance.

“Please, Sir, we are looking forward to the inauguration, and certainly, His Excellency Mr. Mahama will be focusing more on the work at hand. He is not a man prone to sycophancy,” she concluded.

Regarding Mills’ concerns about the potential for constitutional amendments to extend Mahama’s presidency, Bawah Mogtari clarified that any discussions on reforms to presidential term limits had nothing to do with Mahama’s presidency and should not be linked to him.

Uncle, I don’t think you have any cause for alarm and I am sure that you in particular are a very senior party member and can certainly bring up such if for discussion.

1. We have all agreed that we need to pass the constitutional amendments as demanded by the good people of…

— Joyce Bawah Mogtari (@joyce_bawah) December 29, 2024

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