The government has revised visa processing procedures for Chinese nationals as part of intensified measures to combat illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the new policy during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15.
He stressed that while some Chinese nationals have been implicated in illegal mining, such activities are not officially sanctioned by the Chinese government.
“There’s no official China-Ghana policy to come and destroy our environment. They have been supporting us to get rid of their nationals who come in. I have been cracking down, arresting them, prosecuting them, and we will continue to arrest and prosecute,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
Ablakwa revealed that Ghana is working closely with Chinese authorities to tackle galamsey. He highlighted that his recent visit to China was partly focused on reinforcing Ghana’s strong stance on environmental protection.
“I can confirm to you that as part of my recent visit to China, I told them the position of President John Dramani Mahama and told them that this cannot continue. We made it clear to the city authorities that they cannot send their nationals here to engage in galamsey,” he said.
This engagement, he noted, reflects ongoing diplomatic cooperation to ensure that individuals involved in illegal mining are apprehended and sanctioned, while legitimate relations between both countries remain unaffected.
The most significant policy shift is the introduction of tighter visa requirements for Chinese nationals. According to the Minister, the new system has been rolled out at Ghana’s embassy in Beijing and the consulate in Guangzhou.
“The new policy is now at our embassy in Beijing and our consulate in Guangzhou, where we no longer process group visa applications; that is the new policy,” Mr. Ablakwa confirmed.
The move is expected to make it more difficult for groups of individuals to enter Ghana under loosely supervised arrangements, a loophole authorities say has been exploited by illegal miners in the past.
Analysts note that the policy reflects Ghana’s attempt to strike a balance between maintaining good diplomatic relations with China and cracking down on individuals engaged in environmentally destructive activities.
China remains a key trade and development partner for Ghana, but illegal mining involving some Chinese nationals has strained public perception of bilateral ties.
By introducing tighter visa controls while maintaining cooperation with Chinese authorities, the government seeks to address local concerns without undermining broader relations.
Illegal mining continues to be one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, polluting rivers, destroying farmlands, and threatening the country’s ecological sustainability.
Previous crackdowns have had mixed results, with critics arguing that enforcement has not been consistent.
With the new visa rules, the government hopes to stem the inflow of foreign nationals engaged in the activity, complementing ongoing security operations and community sensitisation campaigns.
