Economist and brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Cadman Atta Mills, has launched another scathing critique against the National
Economist and brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Cadman Atta Mills, has launched another scathing critique against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former President John Mahama, insisting that party loyalty cannot be used as an excuse to remain silent on destructive policies—particularly on the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In a strongly worded statement on September 22, 2025, posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Mills rejected claims that openly criticising the NDC amounts to disloyalty.
According to him, silence in the face of wrong decisions would make him complicit in policies that have long-term consequences for the environment and Ghana’s future.
“You are not ‘disloyal’ because you criticise your political party’s policies and sometimes with passion. A political party is not (and should not be) a monolith,” he wrote, stressing that constructive dissent fosters debate and leads to better policies.
Refusal To Be Muzzled On Galamsey
Dr. Mills has consistently spoken against the devastation caused by galamsey, which has polluted major rivers, destroyed farmlands, and threatened livelihoods in mining communities.
He noted that critics within the NDC were attempting to silence him by portraying him as inconsistent or disrespectful to the party’s leadership.
“I refuse to be silenced on galamsey (or other policies), because of the patently false claim that I was silent on the misdeeds of the previous government in mining—I wrote volumes. Or that as a ‘party elder’ I should not publicly express my disagreements with my party’s policies,” he declared.
Earlier on September 14, Dr. Mills directly took on the Mahama-led administration, warning that the government’s celebration of the cedi’s short-term recovery was misplaced when weighed against the severe human and environmental costs of galamsey.
“I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC are receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life,” he wrote, making clear that no economic indicator could justify the environmental destruction.
Mills’ Discontent
This is not the first time Dr. Mills has challenged the political establishment. Since the passing of his brother, President John Evans Atta Mills, in 2012, he has positioned himself as a voice of conscience within the NDC.
He has repeatedly accused Ghanaian leaders across political divides of turning a blind eye to galamsey because of electoral gains, noting that both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC have failed to implement sustainable reforms.
Under John Mahama’s previous administration, galamsey escalated sharply, with water bodies like the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra facing near collapse.
Despite promises of regulation, illegal miners—many backed by political financiers—operated with impunity.
The current Mahama government, now in its second term, has promised stricter measures, but critics such as Dr. Mills argue that the political will is still lacking.
Rejecting ‘Party Elder’ Label
In his latest post, Dr. Mills also dismissed attempts to brand him as an NDC “elder” who should toe the party line.
“I am a party member and elderly—very elderly—but I am not ‘a party elder’. Those muzzled creatures belong to the party’s Council of Elders,” he stated bluntly.
His remarks appear to challenge a deeply rooted culture within Ghanaian politics where party loyalty is often equated with silence, even in the face of glaring policy failures.
Implications For The NDC
Dr. Mills’ outspoken criticism could further intensify internal debates within the NDC, especially as the party faces growing public scrutiny over its handling of galamsey and other governance challenges.
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