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Tag: Galamsey

  • Leave immediately! – Upper East REGSEC orders illegal miners

    Leave immediately! – Upper East REGSEC orders illegal miners

    The Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has directed illegal miners occupying sections of land in the border community of Sapelliga to remove their equipment and vacate the premises.

    The expansive land at Sapelliga, a border community in the Upper West Region, has been overrun by illegal miners from both Ghana and Burkina Faso, engaging in galamsey activities without any intervention from state authorities.

    Head of the Upper East REGSEC and Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Saleh, issued the order for the illegal miners to withdraw, highlighting the environmental destruction and the damage to significant boundary markers.

    “Please, if you want to continue operating here, do the right thing. We are going to contact the Minerals Commission so that they make this place available to prospective miners so that you would be licensed and then we give you the opportunity to operate.

    “But what you are doing currently is unacceptable, it’s highly unacceptable. This is the last time that we are coming here, and this is a stern warning from the Regional Security Council, so take note and begin to pack your tools.”

    The Ghana Boundary Commission, which supported REGSEC’s efforts, stated their goal was to curb the activities of the illegal miners.

    The Commissioner General of the Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, noted that the illegal miners’ actions continue to tamper with Ghana’s boundary markers with Burkina Faso.

    He emphasized that this could lead to disputes between the two countries if the boundaries are not clearly defined.

    “There were a lot of interferences so far as our boundary line is concerned. Some of these activities led to the removal of international boundary pillars and for that matter, there was no clarity so far as the markings of the boundary is concerned.

    “And then, because we have quite a sizeable number of people coming from Burkina Faso to do a lot of illegal activities here, if we don’t take care, while these boundary pillars are removed, some of our territories can be taken or probably can be declared as part of Burkina Faso because these markings are not visible on the ground,” he said.

    Major General Emmanuel Kotia highlighted his team’s decision to support the construction of patrol routes, which will serve to mark the international boundary pillars.

    He explained that their facilitation of REGSEC’s involvement was intended to help them better understand the situation on the ground.

    “REGSEC plays a very key role so far as the territory sovereignty of the country is concerned, especially regions that have boundaries with our neighbours. So we work in collaboration with REGSECS to ensure that our boundaries are secure.”

    Additionally, Regional Minister Hafiz Bin Saleh pointed out that besides the environmental degradation caused by the miners, terrorists from neighboring Burkina Faso could exploit the situation to fund their nefarious activities.

    “In Burkina Faso, there are insurgents there and there are terrorists who want to infiltrate into our country and to be able to perpetuate what they are doing, they need finance so they engage in what you people are doing.

    “In order to save the people of this country, we want to stop issues of this nature so that people don’t have means of funding nefarious activities,” he said.

    He noted that Ghana is currently enjoying peace and emphasized that Ghanaians should appreciate the tranquility they are experiencing.

    “We will not allow the interest of any individual or any group of persons to affect the peace that the country is enjoying.”

  • Ghana’s boundary line with Burkina Faso under threat due to illegal miners – REGSEC

    Ghana’s boundary line with Burkina Faso under threat due to illegal miners – REGSEC

    In the border community of Sapelliga in the Upper East Region, a thriving illegal mining industry operates, with numerous young people engaging in mining activities daily.

    However, these operations not only pose a grave threat to the environment but also to the international boundary line between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

    To address this situation, the Ghana Boundary Commission and the Upper East Regional Security Council have taken action.

    Addressing the illegal miners on Tuesday, May 14, the Head of REGSEC and Upper East Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Saleh, expressed grave concern about the potential exploitation of the situation by terrorists to finance their activities.

    He urged the illegal miners to cease their activities immediately and vacate the area.

    “There are insurgents there and there are terrorists who want to infiltrate our country and to be able to perpetrate what they are doing, they need finance so they engage in what you people are doing.

    So in order to save the people of this country want to stop issues of this nature so that people don’t have means of funding their nefarious activities.

    “So please, it is for that reason that we are putting this measure in place to save this country and to save the people of this country. We are enjoying peace and we must appreciate the peace we are enjoying. We will not allow the interest of any individual or any group of persons to affect the peace does the country Ghana is enjoying,” he said.

    Illegal miner Abille Fatawu revealed that he relies on income from galamsey to fund his education.

    “I started this work when I was in SHS 1… when I vacate I come here and work. When I get small [money], I use it to also help in my education,” he told JoyNews.

    He is currently at the tertiary level and remains committed to this mining job as his source of fund.

    “It is through this that I got money to get to where I am now.”

    Commissioner-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Maj Gen Emmanuel Kotia, highlighted how the activities of illegal miners threaten the international boundary line between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

    He mentioned the destruction of boundary pillars, which could lead to territorial disputes and emphasized the need for patrol routes to address these challenges.

    “Some of these activities lead to remove off international boundaries pillars. And for that matter, there was no clarity so far as the markings of the boundary is concerned and then because we have quite a sizable number of people coming from Burkina Faso to do a lot of illegal activities here, if we don’t take care whiles these boundary pillars are removed some of our territories can be taken or probably can be declared as part of Burkina Faso, because these markings are no visible on the ground.

    “That is the reason why one we have decided to facilitate the construction of the patrol routes,” Maj Gen Kotia explained.

  • Let’s do whatever it takes to save our environment from galamsey activities – Otumfuo urges

    Let’s do whatever it takes to save our environment from galamsey activities – Otumfuo urges

    On the auspicious occasion commemorating his twenty-five years of reign, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II passionately addressed the pressing issue of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities, commonly known as ‘galamsey’.

    As the 16th ruler to ascend the esteemed Golden Stool, he emphasized the urgent necessity to combat galamsey through all available means.

    His discourse conveyed a profound sense of duty, urging the present generation to respect and safeguard the environmental legacy passed down by their ancestors.


    “Our top priority must be the reclamation of our environment from the ravages of galamsey. We cannot be the generation that destroys the most gracious heritage bequeathed to us by our forefathers to satisfy the greed of a few miscreants. For whatever it takes we must defeat this scourge,” he said.

    In addition to environmental concerns, Asantehene also articulated a vision for economic rejuvenation, highlighting the need to nurture Ghana’s economy and empower its entrepreneurs.

    He recognized the interdependent relationship between environmental preservation and economic prosperity, advocating for initiatives that promote sustainable development.

    As the country stands on the brink of electoral processes, Asantehene’s guidance extended to matters of civic responsibility, warning against actions that could undermine the integrity of the democratic system.

    His appeals reflect a profound commitment to principles of good governance and the collective welfare of Ghanaians.

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s intervention serves as a rallying cry for unity against galamsey, urging action for environmental recovery, economic resilience, and political stability.

  • Galamsey fight cannot be achieved by an individual but by a collective effort – Bawumia

    Galamsey fight cannot be achieved by an individual but by a collective effort – Bawumia

    Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has emphasized the necessity of a united front in combating illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

    Addressing the Ghana Mining Vision event organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani on May 8, 2024, Dr. Bawumia highlighted that the fight against illegal mining remains a pressing concern that demands the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders.

    Acknowledging that no single entity or administration can single-handedly tackle the galamsey menace and achieve lasting success, Dr. Bawumia underscored the significance of a collective commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s precious resources, particularly its water bodies.

    “We cannot continue to pretend the fight has been won; indeed, we have barely scratched the surface and committed to doing more to keep our other, very precious resources that spar with mining like water bodies, safe for all,” he said.

    “Our solemn pledge as a government is to ensure we stay consistent with this pledge and harness existing potentials to reap the full benefits of building a very resolute small-scale mining sector that will be admired not only in the sub-region but globally,” he said

    He further pledged his government’s dedication to implementing sustainable solutions that prioritize the long-term preservation of Ghana’s environment and natural resources, should he assume the presidency.

    Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of cooperation among government agencies, mining firms, local communities, and citizens to address the complexities of illegal mining comprehensively.

    The call for collective action against galamsey reflects Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to fostering a resilient small-scale mining sector that garners international acclaim while safeguarding Ghana’s environmental heritage.

  • Galamsey fight can only be won by collective efforts – Bawumia

    Galamsey fight can only be won by collective efforts – Bawumia

    Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has stressed the importance of a collective effort in combating illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”

    He emphasized that no individual or administration can successfully tackle the menace alone; it requires the combined effort and commitment of all stakeholders.

    Speaking at the Ghana Mining Vision event organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Dr. Bawumia highlighted that the fight against illegal mining is far from over and should be a concern for all Ghanaians. He underscored the significance of unity in addressing the issue effectively.

    “We cannot continue to pretend the fight has been won; indeed, we have barely scratched the surface and committed to doing more to keep our other, very precious resources that spar with mining like water bodies, safe for all,” he said.

    “Our solemn pledge as a government is to ensure we stay consistent with this pledge and harness existing potentials to reap the full benefits of building a very resolute small scale mining sector that will be admired not only in the sub-region but globally,” he said

    The NPP flagbearer emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions that prioritize the long-term well-being of Ghana’s natural resources and environment. He committed his government to this approach should he be elected President.

    Dr. Bawumia stressed the need for cooperation among all stakeholders, including government agencies, mining companies, communities, and citizens, to effectively address the challenges posed by illegal mining and ensure the sustainable development of Ghana’s mining sector.

  • Go back to the days when you campaigned against ‘galamsey’ – GJA tells media

    Go back to the days when you campaigned against ‘galamsey’ – GJA tells media

    President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on journalists to reignite their campaign against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.

    He expressed concern over the waning media focus on galamsey, despite the positive impact of past efforts. Mr. Dwumfour suggested that if authorities had sustained their actions, the state of water bodies could have improved.

    Mr. Dwumfour made these remarks during the World Press Freedom Day 2024 commemoration at the Koforidua Technical University on Friday, May 3.

    “The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country. In that regard, we wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’.

    “In the past, our collective action in the fight against ‘galamsey’ yielded positive results, as we brought the issues to national attention for action.

    “But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed, and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now. That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”

    He also urged journalists to focus on other pressing environmental issues, such as sanitation and climate change.

    “Apart from ‘galamsey’, the GJA wishes to call on the media to focus on and address other environmental issues such as sanitation and climate change. We will soon announce a comprehensive agenda on these environmental concerns.

    He also called on duty bearers to take significant actions to combat deforestation.

    “We also urge duty bearers to accept responsibility by taking significant actions to combat this scourge, such as deforestation, which has the potential to devastate our land,” he advised.

  • DCE, MP of Obuasi East Kwabrafoso allegedly working to convert football park into galamsey site

    DCE, MP of Obuasi East Kwabrafoso allegedly working to convert football park into galamsey site

    Concerns have been raised by residents of Obuasi-Kwabrafoso in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region regarding the alleged conversion of a renowned football park in the area into a ‘galamsey’ site.

    The football park, widely recognized as a significant recreation center for the constituency youth and boasting a history of hosting football stars such as Mubarak Wakaso and John Mensah for training sessions, is situated adjacent to a military base and a school.

    In a viral video the voice behind the background claimed that the Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom, along with the District Chief Executive, Faustina Amissah, are involved in efforts to convert the park into a ‘galamsey’ mining site.

    The footage also depicted an excavator and workers on the site.

    Several residents interviewed in the video expressed shock at the development, emphasizing the park’s longstanding significance as a hub for sports and recreation in the constituency.

    “This place is a hub for recreation; John Mensah himself has graced these fields, alongside countless youths from our constituency and students from different schools. Why turn this cherished park into a galamsey site? It should remain a space for us to enjoy and play,” voiced one concerned youth.

    They highlighted its role in nurturing local football talent and called upon authorities to intervene and safeguard the park from further degradation.

    “Galamsey,” or illegal mining, poses a significant environmental threat in Ghana, resulting in substantial deforestation across various regions and forest reserves.

    The Ghana Forestry Commission has intensified efforts to combat this issue, including military operations and seeking additional funding.

    However, challenges such as weak law enforcement, corruption, and unemployment continue to contribute to ongoing deforestation, alongside factors like agricultural expansion, illegal logging, forest fires, overgrazing, and infrastructure development.

  • You have gone eerily silent on galamsey and its damage on lives – Sir Sam Jonah to journalists

    You have gone eerily silent on galamsey and its damage on lives – Sir Sam Jonah to journalists

    Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Sam Jonah, has raised concerns about what he sees as a decrease in media coverage of illegal mining activities, or galamsey, in Ghana.

    The respected statesman expressed disappointment at the lack of attention from the media, despite the significant harm and destruction caused by illegal mining to the livelihoods of Ghanaians and society as a whole.

    Speaking at the launch of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Sir Sam Jonah expressed his lack of confidence in the media’s reporting on such a serious national issue.

    “As we stand on the precipice of yet another electoral milestone, in my view, the most consequential, the echoes of past violence, the whispers of disenfranchisement looms and I don’t think anyone needs reminding that the conduct of the electoral exercise together with its outcome is so important that the nation cannot afford bias and unprofessional coverage of it by members of your profession.

    “I wish I could be confident that the coverage will be professional but am afraid I can’t, given the largely unserious way in which another important national issue- the most egregious abuse of the rights of millions whose livelihood has been decimated completely by galamsey operations, has been treated by your profession. I don’t know whether you are exhausted and indeed frustrated by the shameful lack of decisive action from the authorities to your interventions. All I know is that your association’s pen which is your weapon has gone eerily silent on this all important matter.”

    He also lamented the health implications and complications caused by galamsey, highlighting that these issues persist despite the clear and evident consequences.

    He said, “the country is experiencing the ravages of this terrible phenomenon every day. The alarming increase in children born with deformities, the epidemic of kidney and liver diseases, and the alarming mortality rates in the areas affected by galamsey activities.”

    “What a shame, what a pity! As journalists, the times we live in beckon you to remember your purpose, power and your responsibility. The price of the continued silence is too grave to fathom.”

    He referenced Ephraim Amu’s timeless composition, “Yen Ara Asase Ni,” and encouraged journalists to promote patriotism, stewardship, and unity.

    Sam Jonah also urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to uphold the principles of good governance, justice, and accountability, emphasizing the crucial role of truth in shaping Ghana’s future.

    The GJA’s 75th-anniversary celebration is themed: “75 years of excellence in Journalism: Past, Present, and Future.”

  • Galamsey will cost Ghana its premium position in international cocoa market – COCOBOD

    Galamsey will cost Ghana its premium position in international cocoa market – COCOBOD

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has raised concerns about the potential loss of Ghana’s premium position in the international cocoa market due to illegal mining activities.

    In an interview on The Point of View with Bernard Avle, Prof. Michael Kwarteng, Director of the Anti-Corruption Galamsey Unit of COCOBOD, highlighted the detrimental impact of illegal mining, or “galamsey,” on cocoa production.

    These remarks follow a warning by the former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kokofu, regarding a potential embargo on Ghana’s cocoa bean exports due to the escalating activities of illegal miners.

    “Per what we’re seeing, if nothing is done to stop this act [illegal mining], we may lose even our position as the number one premium cocoa. In terms of quality, we all know that, in the whole world, Ghana’s cocoa is the best. If we continue to this, then we’re going to lose that, the quality of our cocoa beans is going to be affected seriously.”

    “I know our Cocoa Research Institute is researching that, and I’m sure they will come out with their findings. But per what we’re all seeing, we stand the risk of losing, so he’s right.”

    In response to the EU’s report suggesting a potential ban on Ghana over cocoa cultivated on deforested land, he advocated for an evaluation of cocoa’s benefits to the citizens of Ghana.

    “I think we have not realized the benefits we’re getting from cocoa production as a nation. COCOBOD is doing so much, cocoa production is offering us employment, even road construction. Our cocoa farmers rely on cocoa for their livelihoods. I think that as a nation, we should begin to assess the importance of cocoa production,” he opined.

    Prof. Kwarteng expressed concern about the challenges cocoa farmers face in accessing water for irrigation on their farms due to pollution of most water bodies.

    “There’s no way we can put cocoa aside and concentrate on the minerals. All our water bodies are going, now for farmers to get water to nurse their crops is even difficult, some buy sachet water and take it to the farms.”

    Ghana has experienced the lowest cocoa production in the past 10 years.

  • Two students found dead in abandoned galamsey pit at Abasewa

    Two students found dead in abandoned galamsey pit at Abasewa


    Two final year pupils of the Abisco M/A Basic School in Abesewa, Dunkwa-Abasewa, tragically lost their lives after falling into an abandoned galamsey pit in the Upper Denkyira East District of the Central Region.

    The deceased have been identified as Dominic Abu, aged 15, and Enoch Ogo, aged 16. The incident occurred on Monday, April 8, while they were on their way home from school.

    According to reports, one of the pupils fell into the pit, and in a valiant attempt to rescue his friend, the other pupil also entered the water-filled pit and tragically drowned alongside his companion.

    Their lifeless bodies were subsequently recovered from the pit, adding to the growing concern among residents about the dangers posed by the abandoned galamsey site.

    This is not the first time such a tragic incident has occurred in the area.

    Two years prior, a final-year student from St. Andrews Senior School met a similar fate when he fell into the same pit while attempting to use a shortcut route from Abesewa to Barrier, which was flooded at the time.

    Ernest Arkon, the Assemblyman for the Compound Electoral Area, expressed dismay over the recurring deaths at the galamsey site.

    In response, he issued a stern ultimatum to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, demanding action to reclaim the land within four months.

    Failure to do so, he warned, would result in a massive demonstration led by him and concerned residents.

  • Video: Wicked leaders! We don’t care about any future generations; we will destroy the land – Galamsey operators

    Video: Wicked leaders! We don’t care about any future generations; we will destroy the land – Galamsey operators

    Another disturbing video of a ‘galamsey’ operators axing a pit while wielding a gold miners pick has surfaced online.

    In the video shared by X(formerly Twitter) user @eddie_wrt , a voice believed to be that of the videographer confidently expressed his relentlessness in destroying the lands as they have come to realise that, the leaders of Ghana has nothing good to offer them.

    While the one axing a portion of the pit backed him with consenting remarks, he expressed his indifference to the the inescapable consequences of illegal mining posterity is set to face.

    “We have come to realise our leaders will not help us so we are destroying our lands and we don’t even care about the next generation. So When it gets to your turn, do what you also feel like, You can actually sell it to the Chinese we don’t care .”

  • Sefwi Akontombra youth seize about 4 tanks of diesel belonging to galamsey operators

    Sefwi Akontombra youth seize about 4 tanks of diesel belonging to galamsey operators

    Some angry youth of Sefwi Akontombra have allegedly intercepted and seized about four tanks of diesel being transported to an illegal small-scale mining site in their community in a bid to bar galamsey.

    This was sighted in a tweet shared by @eddie_wrt on April 6, 2024.

    A background voice reporting the incident in the video asserted that the youth made this move as part of efforts to fight the menace of galamsey, such as the destruction of water bodies coupled with its health-related conditions.

    Chants by women were “We want our water back”!, with some suggesting that, the stopper of the tanks be opened while they journey with the driver to report the case to case at the Esaanse police station.

    During an attempt by the videographer to interview the driver of the intercepted truck, he clarified that they were not engaged in illegal mining (galamsey), but were timber contractors en route to Esaanse.

    However, an irate resident intervened and forcefully escorted him away, instructing him to report the incident to the police station.

  • We will get you a bank; no more burning of excavators – Bawumia ‘promises’ small scale miners

    We will get you a bank; no more burning of excavators – Bawumia ‘promises’ small scale miners

    NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 election, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has unveiled a significant policy shift regarding the government’s response to illegal mining, or galamsey, activities.

    Speaking at a gathering of enthusiastic NPP supporters during a health walk in Kwahu, Eastern Region, on March 30, Dr. Bawumia announced a departure from the previous practice of burning confiscated excavators.

    While acknowledging the efforts made by the NPP in combating galamsey over the past seven years, he emphasised the necessity for a fresh approach to effectively tackle the issue.

    Dr. Bawumia pledged to implement a revamped strategy aimed at combating illegal mining while also preserving seized equipment, particularly excavators, if elected.

    “We are going to help small-scale miners; we will introduce a mineral development bank to get money for them. There is a new regime for small-scale miners, we will not burn your seized excavators,” he said.

    Additionally, he underscored that the current NPP administration, under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, has surpassed the previous Mahama government in every facet of the economy.

    “Jobs, we have performed better, agricultural growth, we have performed better, Zongo development, we have performed better, roads, we have performed better, airports, we have performed better, interchanges, we have performed better,” he noted.

  • Your excavators will not be burnt when I assume presidency – Bawumia tells galamseyers

    Your excavators will not be burnt when I assume presidency – Bawumia tells galamseyers

    The presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced a significant policy shift regarding the government’s approach to combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

    Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic NPP supporters during a health walk in Kwahu, Eastern Region, on Saturday, March 30, Dr. Bawumia declared that confiscated excavators would no longer be destroyed under his administration.

    While commending the NPP’s efforts in tackling galamsey over the past seven years, Dr. Bawumia recognized the necessity for a fresh strategy to effectively address the issue.

    If elected, Dr. Bawumia has vowed to introduce a revamped approach aimed at curbing illegal mining while preserving confiscated equipment, particularly excavators.

    “We are going to help small-scale miners; we will introduce a mineral development bank to get money for them. There is a new regime for small-scale miners, we will not burn your seized excavators.


    In 2021 President Akufo-Addo gave his explicit support for the demolition of equipment, including excavators, employed in illegal mining activities.

    He emphasized that the demolition of such equipment, which contributes to water pollution and deforestation, will continue until these unlawful practices are brought to a halt.

    In a direct challenge to dissenting opinions, he urged individuals with contrary beliefs to seek recourse through legal channels, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law in addressing this issue.

    “I say with all the emphasis at my command, that no rights can accrue to or flow from the criminal venture of galamsey. The equipment which is being used for an illegal or criminal purpose cannot confirm on the owner or any other person any rights whatsoever,” he said.

  • VIDEO: Illegal miners attempt to bury gold thief alive

    VIDEO: Illegal miners attempt to bury gold thief alive

    A suspected thief was forced to recite his last prayers as a group of illegal miners (galamsey operators) held a gun to his head after catching him red-handed raiding their site.

    In a video that went viral, the miners are heard giving instructions to the alleged thief, who was caught trying to steal their processed gold ore.

    The exact location and time of the incident are unknown, but the miners can be seen directing the thief to enter a pit while telling him to prepare for the worst.

    “I am pleading with you. Please forgive me… this is goodbye to my family…” the alleged thief said amid tears.

    In the video, the enraged miners are also seen pumping a shotgun while compelling the thief to enter a pit.

    However, the outcome for the alleged thief remains unknown as the video abruptly ends when he is forced into the pit with a pan on his head.

  • Wassa East: Queenmother arrested over galamsey activities

    Wassa East: Queenmother arrested over galamsey activities

    The District Chief Executive of Wassa East District in the Western Region, Emmanuel Kwakye, has orchestrated the apprehension of Nana Akwah Akua, the queen mother of Accra New Town, due to rampant illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the area.

    The queen mother’s arrest was prompted by reports of ongoing galamsey operations occurring near the Accra New Town Basic School, posing threats to the safety of students and disrupting the peaceful learning atmosphere.

    Upon receiving these reports, the DCE, Emmanuel Kwakye, visited the town and confronted the queen mother regarding the illicit activities.

    However, she allegedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations for her inability to halt the illegal mining operations.

    Consequently, the DCE decided to have her arrested to assist in police investigations.

    Previous footage depicted active galamsey operations within the school premises, with the noise generated by the machinery causing disturbances to the students’ learning process.

    Nevertheless, as reported by UTV, when the DCE and the police arrived at the scene, the illegal miners had already vacated the site and eluded capture by seeking refuge in hiding places.

  • Prove 2 Chinese out of 10 arrested for galamsey are dead – Judge tells Prosecutor

    Prove 2 Chinese out of 10 arrested for galamsey are dead – Judge tells Prosecutor

    The Magistrate of the Sefwi Wiawso District Court, His Worship Eric Baah Boateng, has directed Chief Inspector George Asante Noye, a prosecutor in a case involving the arrest of 10 illegal miners, to provide documentary evidence of the death and cremation of two Chinese nationals at the next court sitting scheduled for April 15, 2024.

    The arrest of the 10 individuals, including four Chinese nationals and six Ghanaians, occurred on December 12, 2023, by staff of the Forestry Commission for engaging in illegal mining in the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve.

    The Chinese nationals were identified as Men Shi Yu, 30; Weng Yong Cheng, 30; Wen FU Lin, 58; and Lee Pin, 60.

    The Ghanaian suspects were Edward Owusu, 25; Kwesi Frank, 42; Abudu Dramani, 41; and Joe Nabur, 27. Two police officers, Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews and Lance Corporal Azantillow, were also involved.

    During the court’s third sitting on March 15, 2024, only the six Ghanaians, including the two policemen, were present, while the four Chinese nationals were absent. The Prosecutor informed the court that two of the Chinese nationals had died and been cremated.

    Magistrate Eric Baah Boateng instructed the Prosecutor to bring the sureties for the deceased Chinese nationals to court at the next sitting to provide documentary evidence of their death and cremation. The case was adjourned to April 15, 2024, and has been referred to the Attorney General’s Department in Takoradi for advice.

  • We have been forced to reduce water production in Central Region due to galamsey activities – GWCL

    We have been forced to reduce water production in Central Region due to galamsey activities – GWCL

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has announced a 30% reduction in water production in the Central region, leading to a severe water shortage.

    The Regional Chief Manager, Seth Eric Atiapah, attributed this reduction to the extensive pollution of water resulting from illegal mining activities.

    A visit by JoyNews to the Sekyere-Hemang plant exposed the detrimental effects of galamsey activities, including the narrowing of the intake canal, water turbidity, and clogging of the plant’s sump.

    These issues have significantly impeded the flow of water to the plant.

    Addressing the acute water shortage during a dredging exercise at the plant intake, Atiapah highlighted the escalating cost of production due to increased water contamination.

    The turbidity level rose from the designed 500MNU to an alarming 7500, making the water challenging to treat.

    The necessity of employing more potent and expensive chemicals, such as polymer or poly-electrolyte, has added to the financial burden.

    To manage the situation, GWCL has reduced water production by 30%, allowing more time to treat the compromised water quality. Atiapah emphasized the critical need for curtailing galamsey activities to address the root cause of the problem.

    Stanley Martey, the Company’s Head of Communications, reiterated the urgency of combating illegal mining, as the treatment plants rely on rivers that have been polluted by galamsey activities.

    The conventional treatment plant is designed for water from river sources, and the current situation necessitates a collective effort to curb illegal mining and preserve water sources.

  • Let’s fight galamsey with all seriousness – Food vendors are cooking with polluted water – GWL warns  

    Let’s fight galamsey with all seriousness – Food vendors are cooking with polluted water – GWL warns  

    Communication Manager of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) for the Western and Central Regions, Nana Yaw Barima Barnieh, has revealed that some food vendors in the region  are using water contaminated by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, to prepare meals for the public.

    As a result of the devastation done to water bodies such as the River Pra by these illegal mining activities, his outfit has reduced water production by 30%.  

    Nana Yaw Barima Barnieh made these revelations in a media engagement on Friday, March 8, 2024.

    Speaking on the impact of the said cut in water production, Mr. Barnieh revealed that some food vendors used the polluted water to prepare food for the public, hence the urgent need to fight the menace.

    “This is a wake-up call for all Ghanaians. In fact, the galamsey operations affect everybody, including the illegal miners themselves. Because of its bad quality   some people are harnessing it and using it to prepare food for people to buy, which is unknown to all of us,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) noted that the reduced water production by 30% will impact some communities within the region. 

    However, it is prepared to supplement its production with supplies from Bremsu Headworks.

    After the dredging and desilting of the Pra River, Eric Seth Atiapah, the Chief Manager of the water distribution company, stated to reporters his readiness to launch an awareness campaign for communities residing along the riverbanks regarding the detrimental effects of illegal mining activities on their operations.

  • NPP has shattered our livelihoods; they must be voted out – Small-scale miners

    NPP has shattered our livelihoods; they must be voted out – Small-scale miners

    The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association in Ghana has issued a call to citizens adversely affected by the ongoing economic challenges, urging them not to cast their votes for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7 elections.

    The association asserts that the NPP’s ban on small-scale mining has significantly impacted its members.

    In a press release signed by its President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, the association stated, “We wish to call on all well-meaning Ghanaians and small-scale miners whose livelihoods have been shattered by the NPP in the last seven years due to the insensitive ban on small-scale mining to reject the party at the polls, come December 2024.”

    The small-scale miners also directed a query towards Dr. Bawumia, requesting clarity on how he plans to revitalize the small-scale mining sector after, as they allege, contributing to its decline alongside President Akufo-Addo.

    Citing evidence, the association claims that the current state of the small-scale mining sector predominantly benefits the NPP and its affiliates. They argue that promises made by Dr. Bawumia, such as decentralizing the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as establishing district mining committees, have not materialized. The collapse of local banks that were key financiers for small-scale mining operations is also attributed to the government’s actions.

    Additionally, the association dismisses government initiatives like Galamstop, the introduction of drone technology, and the mapping of concessions as ineffective and wasteful endeavors. They highlight the military’s retention of over 200 excavators belonging to small-scale miners and other investors as indicative of the NPP’s alleged inability to salvage the small-scale mining sector.

    “We wish to call on all well-meaning Ghanaians and small-scale miners whose livelihoods have been shattered by the NPP in the last seven years due to the insensitive ban on small scale mining to reject the party at the polls, come December, 2024,” the Association urged in a press release signed by its President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah.

    “We wish by this press release to remind and also ask Dr. Bawumia to tell us how he intends to rescue the small-scale mining sector after helping Nana Akufo-Addo to collapse same,” the small-scale miners demanded.

    They alleged that, “There is incontrovertible evidence that the current state of things in the small-scale mining sector only benefits the NPP and its apparatchiks, local banks which were the primary source of financing for small scale mining operations like UniBank, UT Bank and GN Bank were collapsed under the shady banking sector clean up, the promise by Dr. Bawumia to decentralize the Minerals Commission and the EPA, and to set up district mining committees is nothing but an empty promise; in any case, his boss vowed to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, but the opposite is what pertains today.”

    The Association further alleged that, “Programmes like Galamstop and the introduction of drone technology, mapping of concessions and tracking of excavators that were haphazardly instituted by this government was nothing but a waste of taxpayers’ money, and the fact that the military continues to hold over 200 excavators belonging to small scale miners  and other investors in the small-scale mining sector, only goes to cement the fact that, the NPP  and their flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia lacks the acumen to steer the salvage the small scale mining sector.”

  • Mahama accuses DCEs, NPP members of taking over mining, destroying water bodies

    Mahama accuses DCEs, NPP members of taking over mining, destroying water bodies

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has sounded a clarion call, alleging that district chief executives (DCEs) and members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have reportedly seized control of mining operations in Ghana, sparking concerns about the integrity of the country’s mining sector.

    Speaking during an address in the Ashanti Region, Mahama expressed deep apprehension over what he described as the alarming trend of DCEs and NPP members monopolizing mining concessions for their personal gain. He voiced his dismay at the apparent lack of oversight and regulation, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to address the situation.

    According to Mahama, the unchecked allocation of mining concessions to select individuals within the NPP ranks poses a significant threat to Ghana’s natural resources and environmental sustainability. He highlighted the adverse effects of unregulated mining activities on water bodies, noting with concern the increasing turbidity of water bodies in the southern region of the country.

    Mahama pledged to take decisive action to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s land and water resources if elected back into office. He outlined plans to establish district offices dedicated to processing mining license applications and cracking down on illegal mining operations, aiming to restore transparency and accountability to the sector.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer’s remarks come amid mounting concerns over the proliferation of illegal mining activities and environmental degradation in Ghana. The issue of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” has long been a contentious issue, with successive governments grappling to find lasting solutions to curb its detrimental effects on the environment and livelihoods.

    Mahama’s pledge to prioritize the regulation of the mining sector underscores the critical importance of sustainable resource management and environmental conservation in Ghana’s development agenda. 

    As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, Mahama’s promises to address illegal mining and protect natural resources are likely to resonate with voters concerned about environmental sustainability and responsible governance.

  • I will provide ‘wee’ jobs to address unemployment – Independent candidate

    I will provide ‘wee’ jobs to address unemployment – Independent candidate

    Aspiring independent presidential candidate, George Twum-Barima-Adu has outlined his plans to eradicate the menace of galamsey in the country.

    He intends to establish alternative livelihoods, including carbon credit harvesting and the creation of a hemp industry, specifically for the youth engaged in galamsey and others interested in these sectors.

    Additionally, he proposed the enforcement of existing laws and the introduction of new legislation where necessary to address any existing loopholes.

    Mr. Twum-Barima-Adu disclosed these plans during the launch of his 2024 presidential election campaign, with the goal of challenging the dominance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)

    He introduced his campaign under the slogan “breaking the 2” and the motto “yee gye aye no yie,” meaning “we are taking over governance to make it work for all.”

    “We need to break the foothold the NDC and the NPP have had in Ghana. It is now clear than ever that until we break ourselves from the two non-performing conjoined twins, we shall continue to have presidents that serve their parties and supporters and not the totality of Ghanaians,” he said.

    Highlighting the failure of the two major political parties over the past 32 years to fulfill promises made to improve the lives of Ghanaians, Twum-Barima-Adu emphasized the need for Ghanaians to break away from the dominance of the NPP and the NDC.

    He criticized the heads of state under the fourth Republic for prioritizing their own interests and those of their supporters while neglecting the broader needs of the country.

    According to Twum-Barima-Adu, breaking the stronghold of the NDC and NPP is essential to elect leaders who serve the entirety of the Ghanaian population.

    Describing the NPP and NDC as two sides of the same coin, Twum-Barima-Adu accused them of exploiting the country for personal gain.

    To address this, he outlined his policies, including the sale of non-profitable state enterprises, a thorough review of public procurement and contracts to ensure value for money, and the downsizing of the government.

    Twum-Barima-Adu emphasized that his administration would require government entities, including State Owned Enterprises, to seek approval through government review before entering into contracts.

    He also pledged to reduce public expenditure by adhering to the constitutionally approved number of 19 cabinet ministers, with a total ministerial count limited to 63.

  • Level of dishonesty and disregard for Ghanaians under this govt unprecedented – Joyce Bawah 

    Level of dishonesty and disregard for Ghanaians under this govt unprecedented – Joyce Bawah 

    Special Aide to former President, John Dramani Mahama, has accused the Akufo-Addo-led government of displaying an unprecedented level of dishonesty and disregard for the welfare of the Ghanaian people, particularly in the context of the ongoing galamsey crisis. 

    In a statement she noted that there is a stark contrast between the President’s promises and the apparent realities exposed by the leaked report on activities of illegal mining authored by the former chairman of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof Frimpong Boateng.

    “The level of dishonesty and disregard for the Ghanaian people by this NPP Government is unprecedented and gravely unimaginable. 

    This president promised to put his presidency on the line to end galamsey at a time when it was axiomatic that they were and are heavily involved in it. This is manifestly evident in Frimpong Boateng’s report, bearing in mind that the president himself commissioned this work. 

    President Akufo-Addo in 2017, vowed to put his presidency on the line to end the menace of illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey.

    His statement now appears to be in stark contradiction to the findings of the Frimpong Boateng report, according to Joyce Bawah. The report, commissioned by the President himself, revealed the involvement of government officials and members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in galamsey activities.

    Joyce further noted that the treatment meted out to the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, in the aftermath of the leaked report has become a matter of public concern. She further noted that the apparent lack of decisive action against those implicated raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing the environmental and economic ramifications of galamsey.

    “How the former Minister has since been treated in the aftermath of the leaked report is now a matter of public record and needs no reiteration.

    “That galamsey is perpetrated by members of the president’s team and government is confirmed, and it has been established that some NPP members have been using expensive mining equipment without authorisation, raping the state of its natural resources, and destroying our water bodies; whilst Akufo Addo looks on unconcerned,” she said

    Joyce Bawah added that President Akufo-Addo’s purported inaction on the matter raises doubts about the sincerity of his commitment to eradicating the illegal mining practice.

  • National House of Chiefs calls for united front to fight illegal mining

    National House of Chiefs calls for united front to fight illegal mining

    The National House of Chiefs has restated its call for the government to implement comprehensive measures to effectively combat the problem of illegal mining in the country.

    Emphasizing the importance of a collective effort, the House underscored the need for all stakeholders to be actively involved in the fight against illegal mining, urging that it should be free from political considerations.

    During a meeting in Kumasi, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were invited to engage in discussions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the issue.

    President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, used the occasion to highlight the significant role that chiefs can play in addressing the challenge of illegal mining in Ghana.

    “This meeting is long overdue, but it is better now than later because I strongly believe that if Nananom are included and empowered in the fight against galamsey, we can be assured of more effective results. Illegal mining has resulted in environmental degradation, including deforestation, pollution of water bodies and rivers, and soil erosion. Illegal miners also use toxic chemicals and heavy metals including cyanide, mercury, sulphuric acid, and lead, which have negative effects on individuals and must therefore be stopped.

    In response to the National House of Chiefs’ call for comprehensive measures against illegal mining, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu, acknowledged that the military-led approach has not been entirely successful.

    He expressed the view that collaborating with traditional authorities would be a pivotal game-changer in the fight against illegal mining.

    “We do know that governments upon governments have taken steps over the years to initiate several policies and programs in an attempt to curb illegal mining including the use of the military and other security agencies, but it seems not to be getting results, so this encounter is to solicit the wisdom of nananom to help us deliver on what we are targeting in the fight against illegal mining.”

  • Govt’s efforts in fighting galamsey not getting the needed results – EPA

    Govt’s efforts in fighting galamsey not getting the needed results – EPA

    Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has acknowledged that the military-led approach by government to combating illegal mining has not been entirely successful.

    Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu made this information known in response to the National House of Chiefs’ call for comprehensive measures against illegal mining.

    He expressed the view that collaborating with traditional authorities would be a pivotal game-changer in the fight against illegal mining.

    “We do know that governments upon governments have taken steps over the years to initiate several policies and programs in an attempt to curb illegal mining including the use of the military and other security agencies, but it seems not to be getting results, so this encounter is to solicit the wisdom of nananom to help us deliver on what we are targeting in the fight against illegal mining.”

    The National House of Chiefs has restated its call for the government to implement comprehensive measures to effectively combat the problem of illegal mining in the country.

    Emphasizing the importance of a collective effort, the House underscored the need for all stakeholders to be actively involved in the fight against illegal mining, urging that it should be free from political considerations.

    During a meeting in Kumasi, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were invited to engage in discussions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the issue.

    President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, used the occasion to highlight the significant role that chiefs can play in addressing the challenge of illegal mining in Ghana.

    “This meeting is long overdue, but it is better now than later because I strongly believe that if Nananom are included and empowered in the fight against galamsey, we can be assured of more effective results. Illegal mining has resulted in environmental degradation, including deforestation, pollution of water bodies and rivers, and soil erosion. Illegal miners also use toxic chemicals and heavy metals including cyanide, mercury, sulphuric acid, and lead, which have negative effects on individuals and must therefore be stopped,” he said.

  • Government remains fully committed to protecting your businesses – Jinapor to investors

    Government remains fully committed to protecting your businesses – Jinapor to investors

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reassured large-scale mining operators of the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding their businesses from illegal mining encroachment.

    Jinapor emphasized the government’s collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Miners (GCM) to enhance security measures at mining concessions, acknowledging the pivotal role of large-scale mining in the nation’s economy.

    During a meeting with GCM members in Accra, Jinapor praised the Chamber for allocating $300,000 for repairing three Ghana Air Force aircraft used for surveillance against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. He committed the ministry to securing funds for the complete restoration of these aircraft to combat galamsey effectively.

    Addressing fiscal concerns, Jinapor acknowledged mining companies’ worries about the value-added tax (VAT) on exploration. He assured stakeholders that the government’s economic management team was actively engaged in finding a mutually beneficial solution, despite the challenges faced in 2023.

    Another area of concern was the growth and sustainability levy. Jinapor reiterated the government’s emphasis on value addition in the mining sector, urging the GCM to align with this agenda for the sector’s overall benefit and community development.

    The President of GCM, Joshua Mortoti, affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of making the country Africa’s mining hub.

    He projected an increase in GCM’s producing member companies’ output to 3.5 million ounces in 2024, with additional production from the Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine.

    Mortoti highlighted the expected decline in output from Newmont’s Akyem Mine and Gold Fields’ Damang Mine, which would be partially compensated by the new production. The national gold output in 2024 is anticipated to exceed 4.5 million ounces.

    In the background, it was noted that a special task force had been deployed in September 2023 to protect large-scale mining companies from illegal miners, with plans to involve the military on specific occasions to address illegal mining activities at legal concessions.

  • Sabronum residents burn truck allegedly carrying excavator to forest for illegal mining

    Sabronum residents burn truck allegedly carrying excavator to forest for illegal mining

    On Monday, January 15, 2024, enraged residents of Sabronum, Ashanti Region took matters into their own hands, blocking and setting a truck ablaze amid suspicions that it was transporting an excavator for illegal mining within a forest reserve.

    Allegedly supported by unidentified individuals with local authority backing, the excavator was brought to the forest, causing alarm among residents who feared potential illegal mining activities.

    Resisting the truck’s departure, the residents obstructed its path and set it on fire as a form of protest, expressing their determination to oppose any unlawful mining activities in the area.

    During the confrontation in Sabronum, an individual named Bismarck Ankamaah reportedly faced an attack, sustaining severe machete wounds. He was accused by alleged thugs of inciting the arson against the truck transporting the excavator to the forest reserve.

    Ankamaah, who suffered injuries to his leg, arm, and back, recounted the incident, stating that he received an announcement from the Assembly Member at around 2 am on Monday about the arrival of an excavator for mining purposes. As the truck arrived, residents gathered and blocked the road, leading to the subsequent incident.

    “I was threatened by one of them. I later realized the vehicle was set ablaze, then my wife asked me to get my kids from her mother’s room. While at my wife’s shop, the thugs known as A Thousand Robbers pounced on me. As I struggled with them, they used machetes and sticks to beat me up and inflicted wounds on me,” Ankamaah explained.

    The residents expressed concerns about potential pollution of a crucial water source for domestic and irrigation needs if illegal mining persists. They issued a warning of decisive action if the excavator remains within the community.

    Despite government efforts, illegal mining continues to pose challenges in the Ano South East District, creating tension in the area, which is currently deemed tense.

    “I was threatened by one of them. I later realized the vehicle was set ablaze, then my wife asked me to get my kids from her mother’s room. While at my wife’s shop, the thugs known as A Thousand Robbers pounced on me. As I struggled with them, they used machetes and sticks to beat me up and inflicted wounds on me.”

  • Illegal miners cater for our developmental needs – Aboabo residents

    Illegal miners cater for our developmental needs – Aboabo residents

    Residents of Aboabo, within the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region, have endorsed the activities of illegal miners who are causing extensive damage to farmlands, plantations, river bodies, and the Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve.

    The community contends that these unauthorized miners are driving their infrastructural development initiatives, citing unsuccessful attempts to secure government-led development in the area.

    Large portions of land, including about 50 acres of cocoa farms and plantations in the Anhwiaso East Forest, bear the scars of destruction caused by these miners.

    Multiple forest reserves across eight zones in the municipality have fallen victim to illegal mining, posing a threat to rivers like Aboabo and Aframpuye, which flow into the River Ankrobra.

    Some Aboabo residents express support for the miners, acknowledging the adverse effects but asserting that their infrastructural needs are being met in the absence of substantial government intervention.

    Theophilus Kwofie, a resident, states, “The community benefits from the activities of the illegal miners. They have helped reshape the bad road network, provided potable water, and educational facilities. We are okay with the work they do.”

    Residents argue that illegal miners have played a crucial role in providing water, improving education, and enhancing road networks.

    However, concerns arise about the involvement of some New Patriotic Party executives allegedly connected to concessions, potentially fueling illegal mining activities. Local farmer Samuel Kyem urges authorities to intervene and prevent further environmental devastation.

    Paul Andoh, the Municipal Chief Executive, confirms active investigations by the Municipal Security Council.

    He emphasized that the lack of development should not justify the persistence of illegal mining.

    During a visit, excavators and equipment used by illegal miners were observed to still be present in the community.

  • COCOBOD raises alarm on impact of Nawara Mining Company’s activities on farms

    COCOBOD raises alarm on impact of Nawara Mining Company’s activities on farms

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has vehemently condemned Nawara Mining Company for inflicting substantial harm on cocoa farms in the Fanteakwa South District and Abuakwa North municipality of the Eastern Region.

    The rebuke comes in response to a petition filed by a group of farmers, alleging that the mining company forcibly seized control of their cocoa farms, asserting that the land falls under their concession.

    Tension among farmers heightened as the company initiated new prospecting activities, digging approximately a hundred holes in areas dedicated to cocoa cultivation.

    Nevertheless, the cocoa farmers affected contend that these farms have been their means of livelihood for numerous years, emphasizing the detrimental consequences of their destruction.

    Fearing the loss of their farms, some of the farmers have entered negotiations for compensation from the mining company, resulting in the substantial loss of cocoa farms.

    The leader of the affected cocoa farmers, Humphrey Ayisi, stated that the mining company has destroyed over 10,000 acres of cocoa farms in the enclave in the last few years.

    He said this is having a severe impact on the livelihoods of farmers.

    “Cocoa sector employs over 750,000 families in Ghana. Globally it employs over 2 million workforce but surface mining and galamsey are destroying everything that if we are not careful, it will destroy our source of livelihood, agriculture, and water,” Humphrey Ayisi said.

    He added “The cocoa that the mining company is destroying affects Ghana. We have not gotten specific data but when you look at the destruction caused to cocoa farms over the years till date in this area, we are taking in access to 10,000 acres.”

    He called on the government to ban Nawara Mining Company from undertaking mining activities in cocoa-growing communities in the area.

    “The company should first reclaim the land, ensure that the polluted river birim is made clean and there should also be a ban on mining in cocoa growing communities.”

    Nawara Company however explains that farmers affected by its current prospecting activities have been compensated.

    “We met the chiefs before we met the farmers for engagement. Wherever we did prospecting, we paid compensation to farmers. As we speak, there are more farmers trooping into our sites for us to do prospecting. So as we speak, there is no farmer that we have not compensated. Every single farmer has been compensated. We are doing almost hundred (100) holes for prospecting. We have done the first (20) holes which have affected five farmers and we have paid their compensation. This week we have done 6 holes and we are paying compensation for the farmer,” the company said.

    In an interview, Prof. Michael Kwateng, the Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Unit of Ghana COCOBOD, was displeased by the destruction of the cocoa farms by the Nawara Mining Company.

    He called on the Minerals Commission for due diligence before granting mining concessions in cocoa-growing areas.

    Highlighting a critical factor contributing to the issue, Prof. Kwateng pointed out that mining concessions covering cocoa farms are sometimes allocated to miners without the consent of COCOBOD, violating clear legal provisions of the Economic Plants Protection Act.

    He said the law stipulates that all relevant stakeholders, including COCOBOD, EPA, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, and Ghana Water Company, must endorse a land area after proper prospecting before designating it as a mining concession.

    Prof. Kwateng reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to addressing issues related to the unlawful destruction of cocoa trees through the Economic Plant Protection Act.

    COCOBOD had aimed to purchase 850,000 tonnes of cocoa this year but has fallen short, unable to reach even 700,000 tonnes due to the influence of illegal mining and smuggling.

  • Government failing to address galamsey menace – Ablakwa

    Government failing to address galamsey menace – Ablakwa

    The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has contended that the persisting issue of illegal mining in the country is a result of a lack of integrity in leadership that has spanned several years.

    Mr Ablakwa argued that successive governments have lacked the necessary political will to effectively address the illegal mining menace, allowing galamsey activities to thrive.

    During an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he emphasized that the problem is rooted in the deliberate negligence of the situation by governments, leading to its current uncontrollable state.

    “The galamsey matter let’s be honest, it is just a reflection of the lack of integrity in leadership, that’s it, that’s what it is, lack of integrity. So there’s no sincerity, there’s a lot of pretense, we don’t need a new law, we don’t need to know who to report to. There’s no inch of land, no space in our country that is not under political control,” he said.

    Mr Ablakwa asserted that sincerity is lacking, and there has been a pretense in dealing with the issue.

    He emphasized that there is no need for new laws or identifying whom to report to, as every part of the country is under political control.

    Furthermore, he highlighted the exacerbation of the situation due to the active involvement of illegal miners in the country’s politics.

    Mr Ablakwa called for stronger leadership to confront party members engaged in illegal mining activities.

    “We all know the galamseyers, they’ve come to collect party cards, they’ve come for top positions, and leaders cannot tell them in the face that stop it, we’re going to arrest you, we’re going to prosecute you. So it’s failed leadership, no integrity. Let’s call it what it is,” he stated.

  • Galamsey activities force GWCL to shut down Bunso Water Treatment Plant

    Galamsey activities force GWCL to shut down Bunso Water Treatment Plant

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has shut down the Bunso Water Treatment Plant in the Eastern Region due to illegal mining activities on the Birim River.

    The shutdown, per reports, took place on December 23. The plant in question serves communities such as Bunso, Atukrom, University for Environment, Cocoa village, Lindador area and Nsuta.

    Kojo Dadzie, the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GWCL who engaged the media said the plant can no longer abstract water as it has become muddy, affecting the water turbidity.

    Illegal mining activities have occurred in the water body for years, despite the government’s fight against the menace.

    Prior to the closure, the GWCL in July this year, threatened that it would not hesitate shutting down its plants in areas impacted by illegal mining when the turbidity levels of raw water in those areas surpass a critical threshold.

    Managing Director Clifford Braimah highlighted the significant impact of illegal mining on the company’s operations and called for collective efforts to address the issue.

    “If I had my way, Ghanaians will go and chase away all the galamsayers out of their areas because once the turbidity goes up, we shut the plant. And if you have no alternative access to water, you will take the situation seriously because we stay with the people who pollute the water. And if we [GWCL] shut down, you will not even know where to go to get the water.”

    “If you pollute the water and the cost of treatment goes up, why don’t you pay for it because you are making money in one breath polluting the water?” he said in a Public Accounts Committee hearing.

  • Our logistics are limited to fight illegal mining activities – Forestry Commission

    Our logistics are limited to fight illegal mining activities – Forestry Commission

    The CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, has highlighted the significant challenge of resource shortages in combating illegal activities in the country’s forest reserves.

    During the Forestry Commission’s Chief Executive’s briefing and Staff recognition awards in Takoradi, Allotey acknowledged the persistent issues of illegal mining and logging in forest reserves, emphasizing the limitations of the Rapid Response Team due to insufficient resources.

    He urged the Board and Management to develop programs for additional funding to equip and support these units effectively.

    Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio, commended the Forestry Commission for its role in the Green Ghana project, noting that Ghana has planted over 21 million seedlings since 2021.

    He praised the government’s commitment to environmental restoration and emphasized the historic scale of tree planting under the Green Ghana initiative.

    Meanwhile, Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah urged the Forestry Commission to prioritize bamboo plantations as a sustainable alternative to timber.

    Drawing attention to successful bamboo utilization in other countries, he encouraged fundraising for forest plantation and machinery to process bamboo for various purposes, emphasizing its potential to alleviate poverty and contribute to economic development.

    “The key challenge confronting us today is how to combat the issue of illegal mining. Though our Rapid Response team is doing so well, we need to equip them, (because)they have limited logistics to be able to move in their numbers and run multiple operations at the same time.

    “So this area we will need support from the board and the management to develop some programs that will yield more funds that will be able to resource some of these units”,
    he stated.

  • Video: Galamsey equipment burnt at Juaboso as Forestry Commission clamps down on galamsey

    Video: Galamsey equipment burnt at Juaboso as Forestry Commission clamps down on galamsey

    Ten individuals, including two police officers, were apprehended by the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region.

    Among those arrested were four Chinese nationals (Men Shi Yu, Wen Yong Cheng, Wen Fu Lin, and Lee Pin), four Ghanaians (Edward Owusu, Kwesi Frank, Abudu Dramani, and Joe Naburi), and the police officers, Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews and Lance Corporal Azantillow.

    The arrests took place at a mining site within the forest reserve, and during questioning, Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews claimed that Chief Inspector Adusei Negga had instructed them to patrol the Kokosua Forest Reserve near Asempaneye, where they were stationed.

    The joint operation, conducted on December 12, involved the Rapid Response Unit and the District Forest Management of Juaboso. As part of the operation, 10 excavators used by the miners were burned. The Krokosua Forest Reserve has been facing challenges from illegal miners, leading to significant damage.

    This arrest follows recent efforts by the Forestry Commission to combat illegal mining within forest reserves across the country.

    On November 29, 2023, the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission carried out a similar operation in the Anwiaso East Forest Reserve, located at Manse near Diaso in the Bibiani Forest District in the Western North Region. The operation aimed to expel illegal miners who had infiltrated the reserve with heavy machinery, causing damage to the forest cover and contaminating water bodies.

    Ten individuals engaged in illegal mining were apprehended during this operation. The team also demolished two excavators and two heavy-duty electrical plants discovered at the illegal mining site. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Dunkwa Police.

    Samuel Darko-Akonor, the Coordinator of the Rapid Response Unit at the Forestry Commission Headquarters, issued a stern warning to individuals involved in mining activities within forest reserves, urging them to cease such unlawful practices.

  • Forestry Commission nabs 10, including 2 police officers for illegal mining at Juaboso

    Forestry Commission nabs 10, including 2 police officers for illegal mining at Juaboso

    The Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region has arrested ten individuals, including two police officers, in connection with illegal mining activities.

    Among those apprehended are four Chinese nationals (Men Shi Yu, Wen Yong Cheng, Wen Fu Lin, and Lee Pin), and four Ghanaian collaborators (Edward Owusu, Kwesi Frank, Abudu Dramani, and Joe Naburi). The two police officers, Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews and Lance Corporal Azantillow, were believed to be providing protection at the mining site within the forest reserve.

    Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews claimed during interrogation that Chief Inspector Adusei Negga had ordered them to patrol the Kokosua Forest Reserve near Asempaneye, where they are stationed.

    The joint operation conducted on Tuesday, December 12, involved the Rapid Response Unit and the District Forest Management of Juaboso. As part of the operation, ten excavators used by the illegal miners were burned.

    The Krokosua Forest Reserve has been facing significant threats from illegal mining activities, leading to recent efforts by the Forestry Commission to eradicate such activities in forest reserves nationwide.

    On November 29, 2023, the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission carried out a comparable operation in the Anwiaso East Forest Reserve, situated at Manse near Diaso in the Bibiani Forest District of the Western North Region. This targeted initiative aimed to eradicate illegal miners who had infiltrated the reserve with heavy machinery, causing damage to the forest cover and polluting water bodies.

    Ten individuals engaged in illegal mining were apprehended during this operation. The team took action by destroying two excavators and two heavy-duty electrical plants discovered at the unauthorized mining site. Subsequently, the suspects were handed over to the Dunkwa Police.

    Samuel Darko-Akonor, the Coordinator of the Rapid Response Unit at the Forestry Commission Headquarters, issued a stern warning to those involved in mining activities within forest reserves, urging them to cease such criminal actions.

  • Drones, apps must be implored to fight galamsey – Pianim to government

    Drones, apps must be implored to fight galamsey – Pianim to government

    Renowned economist Kwame Pianim has called upon government to harness digital tools such as drones, apps, and satellites to combat the detrimental illegal mining practice known as “galamsey.”

    Expressing deep concern over the extensive environmental damage caused by illegal miners in various mining regions of the country, the NPP stalwart proposed the incorporation of cutting-edge digital technologies.

    These tools could play a pivotal role in pinpointing galamsey hotspots, enabling a more targeted and efficient approach to eradicate this harmful practice. Such measures would contribute to restoring the integrity of Ghana’s water bodies and forest ecosystems.

    Addressing the audience at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Annual Leadership Lecture 2023, themed “Re-imagining Ghana’s Development Trajectory for a Peaceful Prosperous Nation by 2057,” Mr. Pianim advocated for the deployment of a satellite into space to create a comprehensive digital map of Ghana, with a specific focus on mining areas.

    “An all-girls school in Kumasi prepares the software; KNUST held them and they arranged with the Space Programme of India and put up a satellite and have a digitalised map of Ghana so that it will be flashing red wherever galamsey is going on.

    “So the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Lands, the CDS, the IGP, DCEs and nananom cannot feign ignorance or be complicit in the destruction of our environment.”

    “So the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Lands, the CDS, the IGP, DCEs, and nananom cannot feign ignorance or be complicit in the destruction of our environment.”

    Mr Pianim also emphasized the need to curb “the destruction of our rivers, children born with deformities, and our cocoa exports being blocked because of cyanide residue” to ensure the sustainable future of Ghana.

  • CHRAJ boss advocates for harsher penalties for individuals, businesses engaged in galamsey

    CHRAJ boss advocates for harsher penalties for individuals, businesses engaged in galamsey

    Mr. Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), is proposing more severe penalties for individuals and businesses participating in activities that harm the environment, particularly illegal mining (Galamsey).

    He suggests that imposing stricter punishments would act as a deterrent for those with plans to harm the environment for personal or business gain.

    “The wanton destruction of the environment and the pollution of water bodies due to galamsey activities must be fought head-on with more urgency irrespective of who is involved,” he said.

    Mr Whittal made the call in Accra yesterday at a day’s forum in commemoration of the Interna­tional Human Rights Day held under the theme; “The 75th anniver­sary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Implications for Human Rights Protection in Ghana.”

    According to the CHRAJ Commissioner, owners of both public and private companies must conduct their operations lawfully and with respect for the rights of all people whose livelihoods may be impacted by them.

    Adding, “Human rights due dil­igence must be a pre-requisite for the establishment of businesses.”

    He expressed confidence that the adoption of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights next year would strengthen the regulation of business activities in alignment with human rights principles.

    The Commissioner acknowledged Ghana’s strides in enhancing human rights protection but highlighted substantial areas for improvement.

    He urged the government to reform policies, ensuring the protection of the rights of the disadvantaged, including women, children, older persons, individuals living with HIV, and those with disabilities.

    “As a Commission, we remain committed to our mandate of pro­motion and protection of human rights and we will do everything possible within the ambit of the Law to ensure true respect for the rights of all “leaving no one behind,” he assured.

    Mr. Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, the Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister of Justice, emphasized that the observance of Human Rights Day aims to instill the importance of acknowledging and upholding human rights, fostering empathy for individuals irrespective of their race, place of origin, political opinion, color, religion, or gender.

    Furthermore, he highlighted that the celebration serves as an opportunity to discuss and comprehend the challenges hindering the progress of human rights in Ghana today and anticipate those that may arise in the future.

    “One of the thematic issues identified by CHRAJ in relation to blatant disregard for the protection of human rights enshrined in the UDHR is business operations and environmental rights.

    According to Mr. Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, glyphosate, which is used in the production of yams, has been found to be “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Paraquat and chlorpyrifos, on the other hand, are prohibited in Europe but are imported and used in Ghana.

  • Stiffer punishment must be given to individuals, businesses participating in galamsey – CHRAJ boss

    Stiffer punishment must be given to individuals, businesses participating in galamsey – CHRAJ boss

    The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr. Joseph Whittal, is advocating for more severe penalties for individuals and businesses engaged in environmental degradation, particularly in illegal mining (Galamsey) activities.

    He stressed that imposing stricter punishments would act as a deterrent to others with intentions of harming the environment for personal or business interests.

    Speaking in Accra at a forum commemorating International Human Rights Day, Mr. Whittal highlighted the need for a proactive approach to combat the rampant destruction of the environment caused by Galamsey activities, emphasizing the urgency of the fight.

    He urged both private and public business owners to conduct their operations legally, emphasizing the importance of human rights due diligence as a prerequisite for establishing businesses.

    Mr. Whittal expressed optimism that the adoption of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights next year would enhance the regulation of business activities in alignment with human rights principles.

    While acknowledging Ghana’s efforts in human rights protection and promotion, Mr. Whittal noted that there is still significant room for improvement and called on the government to reform policies to safeguard the rights of marginalized groups.

    The Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, highlighted the essence of recognizing and upholding human rights, fostering empathy regardless of individual differences.

    He emphasized that the celebration of Human Rights Day aims to address challenges facing human rights advancements in Ghana, with a focus on thematic issues such as business operations and environmental rights, identified by CHRAJ.

    Charles Abani, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ghana, drew attention to the banned usage of Paraquat and chlorpyrifos in Europe but imported and used in Ghana, posing environmental and health risks. Specifically, glyphosate, employed in yam production, was found to be ‘probably carcinogenic to humans.’

  • Video: Galamsey activities turn White Volta at Yapei coffee brown

    Video: Galamsey activities turn White Volta at Yapei coffee brown

    A viral video on social media has brought to light the devastating state of the White Volta at Yapei in the Savannah Region.

    The extent of the damage believed to be caused by the activities of illegal miners in the country was unveiled as the video progressed.

    The once known colourless river is now brown in colour. This makes it unfit for domestic and commercial purposes.

    It is not far-fetched that galamsey activities have been blamed for the pollution of the waterbody. Illegal miners have destroyed several other water bodies including River Pra, River Ankobra, River Birim.

    Successive governments have put in numerous measures to rid the country of galamsey, however, the menace continues to persist.

    A section of the populace believes intense sanctions is the way to go to deter others from engaging in the illegal acts. Recently, a galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, was handed a four and half year sentence for unlawfully engaging in mining.

  • Galamsey activities affecting construction of Nsuta-Takoradi railway line – Railway Minister

    Galamsey activities affecting construction of Nsuta-Takoradi railway line – Railway Minister

    The Ministry of Railway Development has raised concerns about the impact of illegal mining activities on the construction of sections of the Western Railway line from Nsuta to the Takoradi Port.

    The Ministry noted that the contractor has had to reconstruct certain completed sections due to excavations by illegal miners.

    The ongoing need to clean up silt left in drains and reclaim land affected by these activities is costing the government millions of dollars and jeopardizing the structural integrity of the railway formation, according to Peter Amewu, the Minister for Railway Development.

    “It is our expectation to complete the connection between Nsuta and the Takoradi Port by the end of 2024 for the haulage of manganese to the port. However, the project is facing serious challenges from the activities of illegal miners along the railway corridor.

    “Illegal miners are excavating within a few meters from the newly constructed railway lines, compromising the structural integrity of the railway formation. This is causing additional significant costs to the project, and in some instances, the contractor had to reconstruct certain sections already completed, clean up more silt left by the miners in drains and culverts, and reclaim land deteriorated through illegal mining, which is costing the government millions of dollars,” he said.

  • Law must be amended to punish chiefs who give out lands for galamsey – High Court Judge

    Law must be amended to punish chiefs who give out lands for galamsey – High Court Judge

    High Court Judge Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo has called for amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act to target chiefs and landowners who provide their lands to illegal miners.

    Speaking during the sentencing of Aisha Huang, a Chinese national involved in illegal mining, the judge stressed the need to prosecute not only illegal miners but also those allocating land for such activities.

    Aisha Huang received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a GH₵48,000 fine for multiple offenses related to illegal mining.

    The judge emphasized the environmental damage caused by such activities and urged stronger measures against those involved.

    After Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo delivered her judgment, Miracle Attachey, counsel for the accused Aisha Huang, pleaded with the court to consider leniency based on her compliance with court and security officials since her arrest a year ago.

    He argued that imposing a sentence would financially burden the state and proposed a fine and repatriation instead.

    However, Director of Public Prosecutions Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa opposed the plea, advocating for the accused to face the maximum jail sentence and a substantial fine.

    Justice Osei-Marfo emphasized the environmental damage caused by Aisha Huang’s actions and noted the failure of security officials to conduct due diligence in granting her papers upon her second return.

  • AG reveals why ‘galamsey kingpin’ Aisha Huang was given a four and half year jail term

    AG reveals why ‘galamsey kingpin’ Aisha Huang was given a four and half year jail term

    Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has provided clarification regarding the comparatively lenient prison sentence and fine handed to Chinese illegal mining kingpin Aisha Huang.

    He explained that Aisha Huang was prosecuted for her participation in illegal mining activities between 2015 and 2017, a period predating the passing of the amended law.

    Tuah-Yeboah underscored that there is no evidence indicating her involvement in illegal mining subsequent to her return to Ghana in 2022, following her initial deportation in 2018.

    This distinction in timelines played a crucial role in the legal proceedings and the sentencing.

    “When we arrested her last year [2022], there was no evidence that when she came back to Ghana, she committed illegal mining offenses. We probed into it and we didn’t find any evidence. If there had been, it would have been another matter,” he said.

    Mr. Tuah-Yeboah’s clarification comes in response to public scrutiny over the imprisonment of the Chinese national, Aisha Huang, for four and a half years and a GH₵48,000 fine. Some Ghanaians questioned the perceived leniency of the punishment, considering the extensive environmental damage caused by the ‘galamsey’ queen’s operations.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, the Deputy Attorney General explained that the case was based on evidence collected between 2015 and 2017. He highlighted the prosecution’s reliance on various testimonies, including those from local farmers who claimed that Miss Huang had negotiated with them to use their land for illegal mining.

    Mr. Tuah-Yeboah also commended the Ghana Immigration Service for its crucial role in the case. The service had arrested the illegal mining kingpin in 2018, leading to her subsequent deportation. The timeline and the evidence presented during the specified period were key factors in the legal proceedings and the resulting sentence.

    “The law is about evidence and not speculation. Aisha Huang’s case was prosecuted based on the evidence that we had between 2015 and 2017. Nothing more, nothing less,” Tuah-Yeboah reiterated.

    “If you have a new law that has reduced the punishment under the old law, use it. But if the old law is lesser than the new law, use the old law; that is the law,” Tuah-Yeboah explained.

    The Deputy Attorney General expressed the Attorney General’s office’s inclination toward a harsher sentence for Miss Huang, citing the minimum sentencing guidelines applicable to foreign nationals. However, he reiterated that the judge had adhered to constitutional provisions and the interpretation act by applying the appropriate sentencing guidelines.

    The Amended Minerals and Mining Act not only increases penalties for illegal mining but also explicitly criminalizes aiding and abetting illegal mining activities and the use of certain equipment for mining in water bodies. It mandates a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 25 years for foreigners engaged in illegal mining, with deportation following their sentence.

    Notably, the amended law has been enforced against some Ghanaians. In October 2023, the Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced twenty-one Ghanaians to a total of 340 years in prison for illegal mining in the Western Region.

    The court, presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, also imposed fines totaling GH¢2.52 million, in addition to the jail terms ranging from 15 to 20 years.

    Despite their initial pleas of not guilty, the court found them guilty, concluding that the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General’s Office in Sekondi, had sufficiently proven their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

  • We are not serious about fighting galamsey – Inusah Fuseini reacts to Aisha Huang’s jail term

    We are not serious about fighting galamsey – Inusah Fuseini reacts to Aisha Huang’s jail term

    Former Member of Parliament for Tamale-Central, Inusah Fuseini, contends that the nation’s strategy in combating illegal mining reflects a lack of determination to eradicate the menace.

    He specifically points to the lenient sentence given to Aisha Huang, a notorious figure in illegal mining, as evidence that the country is not fully committed to putting an end to the problem.

    “I think the Aisha Huang case and the conviction and the sentence is another vivid demonstration of our lack of commitment in fighting this canker. The first arrest of Aisha Huang was under a legal regime that imposed or criminalised illegal mining and imposed a sentence that was higher than four and half years,” he said at “JoyNews National Dialogue of Illegal Mining” on December 4.

    Mr. Fuseini, a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, expressed his response to a recent Accra High Court verdict in which the ‘galamsey queen,’ a Chinese national known as En Huang (Aisha Huang), received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a GH₵48,000 fine.

    En Huang faced charges related to engaging in mining without a license, facilitating others in illegal mining operations, employing foreigners unlawfully, and entering Ghana despite being prohibited from re-entry.

    The ex-minister emphasized that during his tenure at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, it was recognized that the existing sentencing structure was insufficient and lacked the necessary deterrence.

    As a result, amendments were made to address this issue. Consequently, Mr. Fuseini argued that the court’s decision to apply the old mining regime was concerning and did not send a strong signal, given the efforts made to strengthen the legal framework during his time in office.

    “We seemed to be suggesting that this canker can be tolerated,” he added.

    Furthermore, he asserted that environmental crimes, on a global scale, are tantamount to crimes against humanity and should not be justified under the guise of mineral exploitation. To support his argument, he shared a video depicting a woman who experienced a stillbirth, attributing it to the adverse effects of residing in a community affected by illegal mining.

    Mr. Fuseini contended that this issue goes beyond mere economic considerations; it poses a direct threat to both our existence and the country’s economy. He emphasized that the ramifications of illegal mining are immeasurable and expose the nation to dangers that cannot be easily quantified.

    The former legislator insisted that a more concerted and resolute effort is required to confront this pervasive problem, echoing the determination demonstrated by other nations facing similar challenges.

  • Aisha Huang gets 4.5 years in prison, GHC48K fine for galamsey crimes

    Aisha Huang gets 4.5 years in prison, GHC48K fine for galamsey crimes

    Notorious Chinese national, En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for engaging in illegal mining and re-entering Ghana after being deported. She has also been fined GH¢48,000 and ordered to be deported again after serving her jail term.

    The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo, found her guilty on the charges of undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.

    The court ruled that the state, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Yvonne Atokora Obuobisa, had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Aisha committed the crimes. The court also noted that Aisha contradicted herself in her defence statements in the trial, which lasted for one year and two months.

    Aisha, who appeared calm and collected in the dock, wearing a nose mask and a white scarf, was convicted on her own plea on the charge of entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry. She had entered into a Plea Bargaining agreement with the State (office of the Attorney General) on May 3, this year.

    During the plea of mitigation, Aisha’s counsel, Miracle Attachey, highlighted her time in custody since October 2022 and requested the court to impose a fine and deportation rather than a custodial sentence. He emphasized the potential financial burden on the state, especially the prison service.

    In response, the DPP argued for a maximum custodial sentence and deportation, considering the impact of Aisha’s actions on affected families and witnesses. She stressed that the sentence should reflect the gravity of Aisha’s actions on the people of Ghana and the communities she had adversely affected.

    Aisha Huang was accused of being in the thick of affairs of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region. She was deported from the country in 2018, after the Attorney General decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without a licence.

    She was said to have snuck back into the country to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported. In October 2022, the Attorney General then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her entry back into the country.

    It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company; she had pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry. But on May 3, this year, Aisha pleaded guilty to entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

  • Flashback: Special prosecutor to prosecute who? NPP members are greedy bastards when it comes to galamsey

    Flashback: Special prosecutor to prosecute who? NPP members are greedy bastards when it comes to galamsey


    A recently resurfaced video features Ken Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, making predictions about the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This follows the recent public expression of frustration by the incumbent Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.

    In the video, which captures Agyapong’s appearance on Net 2 TV, the outspoken politician foretells Agyebeng’s failure to fulfil his mandate.

    Agyapong attributes this predicted failure to the pervasive corruption within the ruling party, specifically highlighting issues related to illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as “galamsey.” According to Agyapong, these corruption challenges will likely impede the effectiveness of the Special Prosecutor’s efforts.

    “You are going to appoint a Special Prosecutor; you see, when I point out a finger, the remaining four point back at you, NPP. You will not be able to prosecute anyone. I am speaking in parables to you,” he stated.

    “There are greedy bastards in galamsey. NPP people are greedy bastards when it comes to galamsey,” he added.

    Upon assuming office in 2017, the current government of the New Patriotic Party, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, placed a significant emphasis on combating corruption.

    A key component of their anti-corruption agenda during the campaign in opposition was the establishment of a Special Prosecutor’s Office dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals for corruption and related offenses.

    However, the initial appointee to lead this office, Martin Amidu, a former Attorney-General, resigned in November 2020, citing alleged interference in his work by President Akufo-Addo. Despite the president’s denial of Amidu’s claims, Kissi Agyebeng, a private legal practitioner, was subsequently appointed to head the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    In a press conference held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Mr. Agyebeng expressed concerns about a concerning pattern of dismissive rulings in the corruption cases he was actively pursuing.

    He went on to caution that such a trend could have severe consequences for Ghana’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness and independence of the Special Prosecutor’s Office in the fight against corruption.

    “Indeed I have had several calls from well-meaning lawyers admonishing me that they have heard talk that our friends who have been elevated to the bench and presiding over cases in court do not take very kindly to criticism, especially of the public calling out variety as we do.

    “And that if the office persists in the media releases, the judges will gang up against the office and throw out all our cases. Mind you, members of the press, collective admonishing is from very senior and experienced lawyers who are members of the law.

    “Members of the press, my learning of the law for the past 25 years in three different jurisdictions, my teaching and training of lawyers and law students for the past 17 years, my 20-year record at the bar all bear testimony that I will be the last person to lead an institution to attack the judiciary.

    “It will be absolutely of no good should it be the case that the OSP is set against the judiciary or that the judiciary is against the OSP. That will surely spell disastrous consequences for this republic, especially in the fight against corruption to the glee of corrupt persons.”

    Mr Agyebeng added, “I do not intend to sound as though I’m predicting doom but we are facing doom. With this development, it will not be long, before a suspected murderer or armed robber will boldly walk to court with the unthinkable prayer that the court should injunct law enforcement agencies from investigating him.”

  • Govt spent GHC5m to interact with traditional leaders on galamsey; gave $30m to committee setup to check menace – Minority

    Govt spent GHC5m to interact with traditional leaders on galamsey; gave $30m to committee setup to check menace – Minority

    The Minority Members on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament have criticized the government for its alleged failure to account for funds disbursed in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey,’ in the 2024 Budget.

    The group claims that $30 million was allocated quarterly to the now-defunct inter-ministerial committee for three years, with an additional GH¢5 million used in the government’s engagements with traditional leaders and security agencies to address the galamsey issue.

    Speaking to the media, Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, emphasized the need for the government to be transparent and accountable to the public in its efforts to combat ‘galamsey.’

    “Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves why, this time in the budget statement, not even once has the ‘galamsey’ word been mentioned? After we have spent millions of Ghana cedis. The Interministerial committee was allocated $30 million every quarter, and they operated for three years.”

    “That should tell you how much money has gone down the drain; they blew GH¢5.4 million just to interact on ‘galamsey.’ The question is, to what end? What are the benefits that we have from all of these?” Alhassan Suhuyini asked.

    Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, wants the government to consider the establishment of a fund to repair the damage caused to river bodies by galamsey.

    “Mr. Speaker, everybody is talking about ‘galamsey’ and how it has destroyed our water bodies. There’s the need for a fund to be set aside so that monies deposited in this fund will be used to repair destroyed rivers, construct new waters for our people, and ensure that the Ghanaian is assured of good drinking water,” Davis Opoku Ansah suggested.

  • Sanitation minister emphasizes collective responsibility in galamsey fight

    Sanitation minister emphasizes collective responsibility in galamsey fight

    Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr. Freda Prempeh, emphasizes collective responsibility in the fight against galamsey

    Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr. Freda Prempeh, asserts that the battle against galamsey, particularly concerning water-related issues, should not be entrusted solely to a chosen few. She expressed that while traditional leaders and community members have significant roles to play, the primary responsibility rests with every Ghanaian.

    During her inaugural interview as the minister of the sector, conducted by GhanaWeb TV’s Etsey Atisu, Dr. Freda Prempeh underscored the need for broader efforts to protect Ghana’s water resources.

    “I think I heard Dormaahene somewhere in the media saying that nobody can come to Dormaa and mine… and so you see that the rivers there are clean. So, we all have to put our feet down.

    “It’s a collective effort. I cannot fight it alone; you cannot fight it alone, because if they come and we don’t give them access, if they come and we stop them, if they come and we report them, do you think they will continue to come? But when they come, we accept them because we think that we can make a penny or two from what they are coming to do, forgetting that we are contaminating – all those things are affecting our water bodies,” she said.

    She also outlined some of the initiatives her ministry is taking to try to maintain Ghana’s sanitation standards.

    Following the resignation of her predecessor, Cecilia Dapaah, and a court case in which she is attempting to recover approximately $1 million purportedly stolen from her Abelemkpe home by two house assistants, Freda Prempeh was named minister of the sector.

  • We must know the outcome of Akonta mining case – Kpebu

    We must know the outcome of Akonta mining case – Kpebu

    Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has called on the government and the relevant authorities to make public their investigations into illegal mining claims in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve by Akonta Mining Limited, a company said to be owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

    He made this statement during a discussion on TV3’s The Key Points over the weekend while noting that it has been over a year since the government commenced probing.

    “Around this time last year, four of us reported Akonta Mining to the CID. They are still investigating. We haven’t met CID Boss Madam Faustina Coffie, in the last four months. She said they were still investigating and we should be patient. Madam Coffie, it has been long. This thing is not rocket science.

    “We have been very patient. We have giving you enough time. Writing to Minerals Commission on confirmation whether there were leases. One year, it’s been long. Investigations have to conclude at a certain point.

    “Let the court decide. We need some accountability. So because it is Chairman Wontumi, investigations can go on for a long time. We have seen the destruction. Babies are born with deformities. So this is a case we should rush to court so confidence will be reposed in the system. No event will come and over take this,” he said.

    Mr Kpebu was reacting to the Attorney General’s opinion on former Environment Minister, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s galamsey report that held some government officials complicit.

    In September 2022, news broke that Akonta Mining Limited was illegally mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in a statement on September 30, 2022, confirmed this and later instructed the Forestry Commission to halt the operations of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

    According to the Ministry, even though Akonta Mining Limited has a lease to undertake mining activity in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, “the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve”.

    Its records showed that Akonta Mining Ltd, on August 25, 2022, applied for a Mining Lease to undertake mining operations in the said Forest Reserve.

    In October, the government ordered the burning of the ‘galamsey’ site structures in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve said to belong to Akonta Mining Limited.

    Following this, four persons petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate and prosecute Akonta Mining Limited and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi over illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. 

    The four are the Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey; private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu; the co-chairman of the Citizens Movement Against Corruption, Edem Senanu, and a fellow of the Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Kwame Asiedu.

    In their petition, they say the actions of Akonta Mining Limited are contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment Act) Act 2019, (Act 995). 

    “A review of the enclosed documentary (Annexure 1) by Multimedia (JOY FM) and Erastus Asare Donkor, shows that in the months of August and September 2022, the above-mentioned company and Chairman Wontumi undertook illegal mining/mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. Indeed the same persons conducted prospecting in the same Forest without the requisite licences/permits.

    Akonta Mining went into the Forest with excavators, pumping machines, power generators, cars, and other equipment. Then they cleared some parts of the forest of the trees and other vegetation. They subsequently excavated the soil and undertook other mining operations as shown in the videos,” the petition said. 

    In January this year, President Akufo-Addo, in a public statement, cleared Akonta Mining of any illegal mining activities, affirming that the company was not engaged in such activities anywhere in the country.

    The President made this statement during his address at the Catholic Bishops Conference and the 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests Association held in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

    “Let me respond briefly to the chairperson on the issue of illegal mining. I want to assure him and all of you that Akonta Mining is not engaged in any illegal activities in any part of the country as we speak,” he said.

    “Further, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has, through the Forestry Commission and with the assistance of the military, cordoned off all 294 sites of forest reserves in thecountry and rid them of illegal miningas we speak,” President Akufo-Addo added.

  • Galamsey: Go to the forests if you want evidence – Prof. Frimpong-Boateng to AG

    Galamsey: Go to the forests if you want evidence – Prof. Frimpong-Boateng to AG

    Former Environment Minister, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has issued a response to the Attorney General’s Office, which had called for “concrete evidence” regarding the allegations made in his report concerning illegal mining activities in the country.

    Last week, the Attorney General’s office had stated that the allegations in Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s report lacked substance and lacked the necessary evidence to prosecute the individuals named in it.

    However, in a swift retort, the former Minister emphasized that he had fulfilled his role as the Chairman of a Committee tasked with compiling a comprehensive report on the activities of illegal miners in the country.

    “What does he mean by hard evidence? I mean as somebody who has written a report what evidence do you expect from me apart from words, documents, videos, pictures?

    “I am not an investigative agent, that is not my job. I was a chairman of a committee and I wrote a report, so you [as an Attorney General] have to go round and see whether what I am saying is true or otherwise,” he said during an interview on Accra-based TV3.

    The former Environment Minister made a notable observation regarding the present state of illegal mining, known as “galamsey.”

    In his assessment, he pointed out that the issue of illegal mining has escalated, surpassing previous levels. He further mentioned that the Attorney General’s office should encounter no difficulties in gathering substantial evidence if they were to investigate the areas within the forests where these activities are taking place.

    “We have regional Ministers, DCEs, MPs, police personnel, Customs and Forestry Commission personnel scattered across Ghana, are they not seeing these things? If you go there, you’ll get your evidence.”

    Background

    Prof. Frimpong-Boateng provided a list of government officials who, according to him, obstructed his anti-illegal mining efforts during his tenure as the Environment Minister.

    In the document he submitted, the distinguished surgeon named specific individuals whom he alleges hindered both his personal efforts and the progress of the committee he led in combatting the issue commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’

    “Throughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the President’s commitment to protecting the environment.

    “I can state without any equivocation that many party officials from the national to the unit committee level had their friends, PAs, agents, relatives, financiers, or relatives engaged in illegal mining. Most of them engaged Chinese working for them. 

    “I am not referring to party people who had their legitimate concession and were mining sustainably as they were instructed to do.

    “There are appointees in the Jubilee House that are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace,” excerpts of the document said.

    Now, the Attorney-General’s advice, dated Tuesday, September 12, and conveyed to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, September 14, and signed by Chief State Attorney Evelyn Keelson, states that it cannot recommend the prosecution of any of the individuals cited in the report.

    Consequently, the Attorney-General has instructed the police to release the individuals mentioned from any legal action, with the exception of those who are still under ongoing investigation.

    “The Attorney-General indicates that a careful study of the Report, the various documents and pen drives submitted to the Police did not disclose any evidence in support of the allegations made against the persons cited in the Report, with the exception of Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta and Ekow Ewusi, in respect of whom the A-G instructs the Police to conclude their investigations and present a report to him.”

    “The A-G’s advice, however, notes that even though the Police diary of action shows that John Ofori Atta was invited by the police, there is no indication that he was interviewed or that a statement was taken from him. There is also no statement from Mr Ekow Ewusi on the docket. The A-G instructed the Police to wind up investigations on that issue and furnish him with a report on same.”

    Hence claims against the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Charles Owusu, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, Reynolds Kwabi, a Director of Heritage Imperial Company Limited, Joseph Albert Quarm, Captain (rtd) Edmund Kojo Koda have not been proven.

  • You woefully failed to prosecute galamsyers, your record is ‘wretched and miserable’ – AG claps back at NDC

    You woefully failed to prosecute galamsyers, your record is ‘wretched and miserable’ – AG claps back at NDC

    The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has condemned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its stance on the government’s handling of illegal mining, known as galamsey.

    He argues that the NDC lacks the moral authority to complain about the damage caused by this issue.

    According to Mr. Yeboah Dame, the NDC’s past efforts to combat galamsey were ineffective and should not serve as a basis for criticism of the current government.

    He described the NDC’s track record in addressing the problem as “wretched and miserable”, asserting that they did not manage to apprehend or prosecute any major figures involved in illegal mining during the Mahama administration.

    In a press release issued on Wednesday, October 18, he emphasized that during the previous Mahama administration, the NDC was unable to apprehend or bring to justice a single influential figure involved in illegal mining activities in the country.

    “I consider it ironic for the NDC, whose record in the fight against Galamsey can be described at best, as wretched and miserable, to mount personal attacks on me for the brave efforts in the fight against Galamsey.”

    “The record shows that the NDC woefully failed and/or neglected to arrest and prosecute a single kingpin of Galamsey, including the touted Galamsey queen, Aisha Huang.”

    Additionally, in response to the party’s call for his resignation due to the guidance provided by his office to the CID regarding Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s report, Mr. Dame highlighted his success in the arrest and prosecution of Aisha Huang.

    He asserted that his exemplary efforts led to the apprehension and ongoing prosecution of Ms. Huang.

    “It is noted that all acts committed by Aisha Huang for which she gained notoriety, took place between 2014 and 2016.”

    “However, remarkably, it was the current NPP administration which commenced the prosecution of Aisha Huan in 2018.”

    Mr. Dame remained unimpressed with the NDC’s actions against the menace, citing their inadequate penalties for galamsey operators during their time in office.

    Despite this, he maintained that “no significant convictions for Galamsey offences were recorded in the regime of the NDC when that political party had the opportunity to govern.”

    “Their Flagbearer before the 2020 General Elections, openly declared amnesty for all those arrested for engaging in Galamsey activities in communities affected by the heinous environmental hazard.”

  • Galamsey claims against Oppong-Nkrumah, Charles Owusu by Prof Frimpong-Boateng empty – AG to CID

    Galamsey claims against Oppong-Nkrumah, Charles Owusu by Prof Frimpong-Boateng empty – AG to CID

    The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice has declared that the allegations made by former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, in his report on illegal mining activities in the country lack substantial evidence to warrant the prosecution of the individuals mentioned.

    This comes after a comprehensive review of a docket submitted by the police regarding the accusations outlined in Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s 36-page document titled “Report on the work of IMCIM so far and the way forward.”

    Prof. Frimpong-Boateng provided a list of government officials who, according to him, obstructed his anti-illegal mining efforts during his tenure as the Environment Minister.

    In the document he submitted, the distinguished surgeon named specific individuals whom he alleges hindered both his personal efforts and the progress of the committee he led in combatting the issue commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’

    “Throughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the President’s commitment to protecting the environment.

    “I can state without any equivocation that many party officials from the national to the unit committee level had their friends, PAs, agents, relatives, financiers, or relatives engaged in illegal mining. Most of them engaged Chinese working for them. 

    “I am not referring to party people who had their legitimate concession and were mining sustainably as they were instructed to do.

    “There are appointees in the Jubilee House that are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace,” excerpts of the document said.

    Professor Frimpong also leveled allegations against a former NPP Member of Parliament from the Ashanti Region, asserting that this individual was involved in selling unlawfully obtained mining concessions for the sum of GH¢200,000 each.

    According to him, this “infuriated the party in the constituency so during the 2020 primaries to select a candidate the electorate voted against NPP MP, the then sitting MP, who was more resourced than other candidates.

    Nevertheless, some of the individuals named in the report refuted the allegations.

    Following these developments, the esteemed heart surgeon and founder of the National Cardiothoracic Center underwent questioning by the police, and a report detailing the findings was subsequently forwarded to the Attorney-General for guidance and recommendations.

    Now, the Attorney-General’s advice, dated Tuesday, September 12, and conveyed to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, September 14, and signed by Chief State Attorney Evelyn Keelson, states that it cannot recommend the prosecution of any of the individuals cited in the report.

    Consequently, the Attorney-General has instructed the police to release the individuals mentioned from any legal action, with the exception of those who are still under ongoing investigation.

    “The Attorney-General indicates that a careful study of the Report, the various documents and pen drives submitted to the Police did not disclose any evidence in support of the allegations made against the persons cited in the Report, with the exception of Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta and Ekow Ewusi, in respect of whom the A-G instructs the Police to conclude their investigations and present a report to him.”

    “The A-G’s advice, however, notes that even though the Police diary of action shows that John Ofori Atta was invited by the police, there is no indication that he was interviewed or that a statement was taken from him. There is also no statement from Mr Ekow Ewusi on the docket. The A-G instructed the Police to wind up investigations on that issue and furnish him with a report on same.”

    Hence claims against the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Charles Owusu, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, Reynolds Kwabi, a Director of Heritage Imperial Company Limited, Joseph Albert Quarm, Captain (rtd) Edmund Kojo Koda have not been proven.

    REPORT ON ALLEGED INVOLVEME… by The Independent Ghana