Mining consultant Ing. Wisdom Edem Gomashie has cast doubt on the sincerity and effectiveness of Dr. Hannah Louisa Bissiw Kotei, Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), in the national fight against illegal mining.
While acknowledging her statutory role under Section 5 of the Minerals Development Fund Act, 2016 (Act 912), Ing. Gomashie questioned what he called the “antics and choreography” displayed by Dr. Bissiw in front of cameras. According to him, such public performances do little to address the real drivers of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
“The fight against galamsey isn’t won through optics,” he stated, hinting that the media-centered approach adopted by the MDF Administrator may serve more political than practical ends. He further implied that her actions might reflect a disconnect between her office, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the security agencies supposedly tasked with enforcing anti-galamsey operations.
Ing. Gomashie also took a swipe at Dr. Bissiw’ Kotei’ s stance on technology, joking that while she may now be interested in using drones to combat illegal mining, her past criticisms of Zipline—Ghana’s drone delivery service—might undermine that credibility.
Though his remarks were laced with humor, they underscore growing concerns about performative governance in the fight against illegal mining—an issue that continues to devastate Ghana’s lands and rivers.
“We wish her well,” he concluded, offering a polite but pointed reminder that public gestures must be matched with effective, on-the-ground interventions.
