The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for what it describes as a worsening illegal mining crisis one year into his presidency, warning that galamsey has reached emergency proportions.

In a statement issued in January 2026 to mark President Mahama’s first year in office, CDM said illegal mining remains unresolved and has visibly intensified, leading to severe contamination of major water bodies that supply drinking water to millions of Ghanaians.

The group expressed alarm over growing evidence that farm produce is now contaminated with heavy metals, posing serious public health risks and threatening national food security. 

According to CDM, both farmers and consumers face long-term dangers if the trend is not urgently reversed.

“The lack of decisive, transparent, and sustained government action against galamsey represents a grave leadership failure,” the statement said, adding that environmental destruction under the current administration undermines claims of responsible governance.

CDM concluded that a government that fails to protect land, water, and food systems cannot credibly claim to be safeguarding the future of its citizens, urging President Mahama to take bold and immediate action.