President John Dramani Mahama has asserted that Ghana’s economy is now counted among the best-performing on the African continent, attributing the country’s recovery to sound economic policies, fiscal discipline and the resilience of the Ghanaian people.

Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving on Wednesday , July 1, after joining Muslims in prayer at the National Mosque, the President said Ghana had made significant economic gains over the past year despite continued global economic challenges.

He thanked God for guiding the nation through a difficult period, saying divine grace, coupled with prudent leadership and the commitment of Ghanaians, had helped steer the economy back onto a path of growth.

According to President Mahama, Ghana’s economic progress has received recognition across Africa, with the country maintaining stability even as geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, continue to affect economies around the world.

He noted that while many countries have struggled with the impact of external shocks, Ghana has remained resilient, demonstrating the effectiveness of the government’s economic management strategies.

The President acknowledged that efforts to restore the economy required bold and sometimes unpopular decisions. However, he stressed that the measures were necessary to stabilise the economy, rebuild confidence and create the conditions for long-term growth.

President Mahama highlighted improvements in several key economic indicators, stating that inflation has eased considerably, the Ghana cedi has become more stable, public debt has declined, international reserves have increased, and investor confidence has strengthened.

He said these improvements are beginning to restore confidence among businesses and investors while laying the groundwork for sustainable economic expansion.

The President emphasised that the country’s economic recovery should ultimately lead to meaningful improvements in the lives of Ghanaians through increased employment opportunities, business growth and higher living standards.

He urged citizens to remain hopeful and continue supporting efforts to sustain the country’s economic progress, adding that the gains made so far provide a solid foundation for future development.

The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving was attended by religious leaders, government officials and members of the public, who gathered to pray for peace, unity and Ghana’s continued prosperity.

The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has raised fresh concerns over the growing threat of illegal mining (galamsey) around Lake Bosomtwe, warning that the country’s only natural lake must be protected before irreversible damage occurs.

Speaking on the increasing encroachment on the lake via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Dr. Adutwum urged citizens, traditional authorities, and all relevant stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the water body from illegal mining activities.
“We must be very vigilant over the encroachment on the lake,” he stressed, adding that protecting Lake Bosomtwe is a collective responsibility.

The MP disclosed that he is yet to officially raise the matter on the floor of Parliament but intends to do so in order to push for a comprehensive national response to the growing environmental threat.

According to him, if investigations confirm that the situation has reached dangerous levels, he would advocate for the affected areas around the lake to be declared a no-go zone to halt further destruction.
Dr. Adutwum also revealed that authorities recently received reports of deforestation activities around the lake after traditional leaders and indigenous residents raised the alarm, prompting a swift response was made to salvage the situation.

He noted that while many traditional rulers strongly oppose galamsey activities in their communities, fear and other challenges often make it difficult for them to openly confront those behind the illegal operations.
The Bosomtwe legislator’s comments add to growing calls for urgent action to protect Lake Bosomtwe, a nationally significant ecological and tourism asset, from the devastating impact of illegal mining and environmental degradation.

By Maurice Otoo

Award-winning journalist and anti-galamsey campaigner Erastus Asare Donkor has sounded the alarm over what he describes as the growing threat of illegal mining around Lake Bosomtwe, warning that the environmental treasure is at serious risk if urgent action is not taken.

In a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Donkor asserted that illegal mining activities in the Bosomtwe District have spread far beyond a single community, with armed men allegedly protecting mining sites and making enforcement difficult.

He revealed that illegal mining in the Apamprama Forest, a key area within the Lake Bosomtwe catchment, began around 2018 but went largely unchecked until 2024. He claimed that by then, more than half of the forest had already been destroyed, blaming years of inaction by authorities.

Donkor cautioned that once gold is discovered in an area, miners quickly flock to the site, making it increasingly difficult to stop the destruction unless authorities intervene immediately.

While acknowledging the efforts of the National Intelligence and Monitoring System (NIMOS), he argued that the agency cannot win the fight against galamsey alone. He called for a decentralized response, proposing that local response teams made up of indigenous residents be stationed permanently around the lake to monitor and tackle illegal mining before it escalates.

He also criticized what he described as a reactive approach by national authorities, saying it is ineffective for response teams to settle in Accra in waiting for reports before taking action.
Donkor further expressed disappointment over comments reportedly made by the Bosomtwe District Chief Executive, Engr. Abdullah Hamidu, who allegedly dismissed the activities as something other than galamsey and claimed they were not close to the lake. The anti-galamsey crusader maintained that the threat to the Lake Bosomtwe ecosystem is real and urged local authorities to take decisive action.

He warned that unless immediate measures are taken, continued illegal mining around the lake’s catchment could have devastating consequences for Ghana’s only natural lake, its surrounding forests, biodiversity, tourism, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on it