The Ghana Chamber of Mines has urged government to act decisively and without fear or favour in the fight against illegal mining, warning that galamsey has evolved into a serious governance, environmental and national security threat.
Speaking at the 11th Ghana Mining Industry Awards in Accra earlier this month, President of the Chamber, Mr Michael Edem Akafia, said persistent illegal mining continues to destroy water bodies and forests, weaken state authority and endanger the future of responsible mining in Ghana.
He stressed that recent attacks on state institutions, security agencies and regulatory bodies involved in the anti-galamsey effort were unacceptable and must be dealt with swiftly and decisively to uphold the rule of law.
According to Mr Akafia, illegal mining is no longer just an environmental challenge but a broader social and governance problem that threatens national security and undermines public confidence in lawful mining operations.
He said the government must embolden and adequately resource state agencies to enforce mining laws without fear or favour, adding that decisive enforcement is critical to protecting Ghana’s mineral wealth and restoring credibility to the sector.
The Chamber also expressed support for the deployment of appropriate technology to track and trace mining activities as part of a broader strategy to curb illegal operations.
The call comes amid growing concerns about the impact of galamsey on water security, forest reserves and host communities, as well as its implications for investor confidence in Ghana’s mining industry.
Mr Akafia reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to responsible mining and environmental stewardship, stressing that sustained collaboration between government, industry, communities and civil society remains essential to defeating illegal mining.
