The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Tong Defa, has urged all Chinese nationals residing in Ghana to distance themselves from illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”
He called on the Ghanaian government to enforce its laws and deal decisively with any Chinese nationals found engaging in these illegal practices, to serve as a deterrent to others.
According to the Ambassador, the Chinese government does not condone such actions and firmly discourages its citizens from participating in activities that harm Ghana’s environment.
Speaking during his first engagement with selected journalists in Accra, Mr. Defa reaffirmed China’s support for the rule of law and environmental protection.
He stressed that while not all Chinese residents in Ghana are involved in illegal mining, those who are must face the full extent of the law. He referenced President Xi Jinping’s earlier call in 2018, during a discussion with President Akufo-Addo, to punish those engaged in illegal mining, underscoring China’s consistent stance on the issue.
Illegal mining, or “galamsey,” has wreaked havoc on Ghana’s environment, leading to the destruction of water bodies and forests. In addition to environmental degradation, the chemicals used in these activities pose dangerous health risks, such as kidney diseases, and have resulted in birth defects in affected communities.
The menace has also contributed to food shortages, as farmlands, including cocoa and vegetable farms, are sold off to illegal miners.
The government has intensified its efforts to clamp down on galamsey activities. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, recently revealed that from August 2021 to date, 76 people, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted for illegal mining offenses. Among them is the notorious Chinese national, En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, who was sentenced in December 2023 under Ghana’s new mining laws, which carry a minimum 20-year sentence for foreign offenders.
Currently, over 140 cases involving more than 850 accused individuals are being prosecuted in courts across the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions of Ghana. These cases are nearing conclusion, signaling the government’s resolve to rid the nation of illegal mining and protect its natural resources for future generations.
