Newsfile to discuss Mahama’s galamsey fight, GH¢49.72m evacuation controversy and five-year presidential term proposal

JoyNews’ flagship current affairs programme, Newsfile, will, this Saturday, October 31, discuss the progress of President John Mahama’s administration’s fight against illegal mining, renewed questions over the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa, and the debate over extending Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years.

The programme, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, will bring these issues under scrutiny as questions continue to emerge over government policy, public accountability and the country’s constitutional arrangements. First, the programme will examine the government’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and whether the measures being implemented are delivering sustainable results.

President John Mahama recently disclosed that more than 8,200 items used in illegal mining had been confiscated, including 135 excavators and almost 200 firearms. He has also announced plans to reclaim 5,000 acres of degraded land from 2027, with GH¢200 million allocated for the exercise. The government has also outlined plans to expand river protection operations and sustain enforcement in areas cleared of illegal miners.

But with concerns about the continued impact of illegal mining on water bodies, forests and farmlands, the discussion will examine whether the interventions are translating into lasting progress and what more needs to be done to protect the country’s natural resources. Read more: Mahama says government has seized 8,200 items in galamsey fight. The second issue will focus on the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks.

The expenditure has come under scrutiny from the Minority, which has raised concerns about alleged discrepancies in flight records, payment registers and supporting documents. The caucus has called for an independent investigation into the exercise. The debate has also featured questions about the number of people evacuated and how the funds were disbursed, with government officials defending the expenditure and insisting that the records account for the money spent.

Newsfile will examine the concerns raised by the opposition, the government’s explanations and whether the available records provide sufficient answers about the cost and management of the evacuation. Read more: Minority demands independent probe into South Africa evacuation costs. The third topic will consider former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s support for a proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years.

Mr Kufuor has argued that the current four-year arrangement leaves governments with limited time to develop and implement policies before attention shifts to the next election. He maintains that a five-year term would give administrations more time to deliver on their programmes, while retaining the existing two-term limit. His position, however, differs from that of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has rejected the proposed extension and called for the retention of the four-year term.

With the proposal forming part of the ongoing constitutional review process, the discussion will examine whether a longer presidential term would improve governance and policy implementation or weaken regular electoral accountability. Read more: Kufuor makes case for a five-year presidential term. The three issues raise important questions about the effectiveness of government interventions, accountability in the use of public resources and the constitutional arrangements that shape Ghana’s democracy.

Newsfile airs live on Saturday, October 31, from 8:00 am to 12 noon on JoyNews, Joy 99.7 FM and Luv 99.5 FM, with Samson Lardy Anyenini as host.