Mr. Yaw Amoyaw-Osei, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Centre for Environment and Health Research and Training (CEHRT), has launched a new book titled The Last Dig: How Beijing Changed the Galamsey Story to Model Mining, calling for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The book argues that understanding the complexity of galamsey is critical to developing effective and sustainable solutions instead of relying solely on periodic crackdowns.
Speaking to journalists at the launch in Accra, Mr. Amoyaw-Osei said the publication sought to deepen public understanding of the illegal mining phenomenon and offer practical recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders.
“The book delves into the actual complexity of galamsey and provides an understanding of the phenomenon so that we can advance meaningful recommendations for solutions,” he said.
He explained that the book distinguished between organised criminal illegal mining operations, often financed by foreign interests, and poverty-driven community mining undertaken by unemployed Ghanaians seeking a means of survival.
According to him, the criminal networks, which invade forest reserves and pollute water bodies, should be subjected to a total crackdown.
“The criminal one, perpetrated by foreigners and their collaborators, must be stopped completely because they are responsible for the destruction of our forests and water bodies,” he said.
However, he noted that community-based illegal miners required a different approach centred on formalisation, regulation and support rather than enforcement alone.
Mr. Amoyaw-Osei said transforming community mining into a legal, attractive and environmentally responsible activity would provide sustainable livelihoods while cutting off the foreign financial networks driving environmental destruction.
He stressed that responsibility for addressing galamsey should not rest solely with the Government but should also involve traditional authorities, district assemblies, security agencies and local communities.
The environmental expert proposed stronger accountability measures, including sanctions against chiefs who permitted illegal mining activities on lands under their jurisdiction.
“We are calling on the National House of Chiefs to ensure that chiefs are held accountable where galamsey thrives on their lands,” he said.
Mr. Amoyaw-Osei also advocated the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), arguing that elected officials would be directly accountable to residents for environmental degradation within their districts.
“If there is galamsey in your district, you must answer for it,” he said.
He further proposed holding police commanders accountable for illegal mining activities occurring within their operational areas.
The book also recommends the establishment of District Environmental Task Forces to monitor communities, identify suspicious foreign activities and prevent organised illegal mining before it spreads.
“If a foreigner comes into a community, people should know why the person is there. Their presence must be explained. Otherwise, they should be investigated before they even have the opportunity to enter the forests,” he said.
Commenting on the recent flooding in parts of Accra, Mr. Amoyaw-Osei said the country’s environmental governance challenges extended beyond illegal mining.
He cited the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) Project and questioned why severe flooding persisted despite substantial investments in flood mitigation initiatives.
“What has happened to all the money invested in these projects? Why are we still experiencing floods of this magnitude? People must be held accountable,” he said.
He attributed the recurring floods to weak enforcement of environmental regulations, poor sanitation management and the failure of district assemblies to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
Mr. Amoyaw-Osei urged local authorities to improve waste management, maintain drainage systems and enforce existing environmental laws to reduce flooding and safeguard lives and property.
He said Ghana already had sufficient studies and policy recommendations to address both illegal mining and flooding, stressing that the country’s biggest challenge remained implementation, accountability and enforcement.
