The Ghana Police’s intensified series of intelligence-led operations has led to the arrest of 49 individuals involved in illegal mining activities in some parts of the country.
These operations were carried out at Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; and the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region.
At Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa, the Western Central Regional Police Command nabbed 19 suspects, disabled over 135 chanfan machines, and retrieved exhibits including 23 water pumping machines, 4 excavator batteries, and a motorbike.
At Akrokerri, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command apprehended 9 suspects.
In the Awin River at Pankese and at Akyem Akwadum, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested 11 suspects and retrieved 1 excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards and one gold detecting device.
At Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects and retrieved four excavators, 8 pumping machines, and 1 cylinder machine.
These coordinated operations resulted in the retrieval of exhibits, including various mining equipment.
All suspects are in police custody assisting ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the Koforidua Circuit Court B has granted 14 suspected illegal miners bail each in the sum of GHC350,000 with two sureties, with one to be justified with movable property.
The suspects were arrested on May 15 for illegally mining at Akyem Muoso in the Eastern Region by the Eastern South Regional Police Command.
At the time of the arrest, police retrieved a pump action gun from one of the suspects, Zuberu Nuhoho, who failed to produce documentation for the weapon.
Two excavator control boards were also retrieved from the mining site.
The accused persons were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court B on May 16.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will today appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at 3pm.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters yesterday alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorization and pollution of water bodies.
However, according to sources, Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.
He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve.
Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.
This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23.
After the failed search attempt, Mr Boasiako expressed his displeasure over a search that was orchestrated by national security operatives at his residence.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako better known as Chairman Wontumi has arrived at the CID headquarters, following an invitation by the police.
The search comes after Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Miningâs licenses, citing allegations of illegal mining and other violations.
During the press briefing, he accused the company of being involved in galamsey operations and breaching mining regulations.
Buah also claimed that Akonta Mining was illegally selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners, charging up to GHâ”300,000 per concession, with some payments reportedly made in gold royalties.
Akonta Mining Company Limited, owned by Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, claiming GHâ”20 million in damages.
The company alleges that during a press conference on April 22, Minister Buah made defamatory remarks, accusing Akonta Mining of illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The company has strongly denied these accusations, asserting that its mining leases, which were granted in 2021, cover areas outside of the protected reserve.
The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on April 24, 2025, argues that the minister’s statements were false and damaging to its reputation.
The Media Coalition Against illegal mining has called on the government to expand its excavator tracking system across the country to improve the fight against illegal mining activities.
The appeal was made during a visit to the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Centre on May 7, where the Coalition, together with A Rocha Ghana, observed how the facility tracks the movement of excavation machinery used in mining operations.
The Coalition’s Convenor, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, emphasized the need for a nationwide rollout of the tracking system, arguing that it would be a crucial tool in curbing illegal mining activities, particularly “galamsey.”
âThese excavators are not like mobile phones that you can just put in your pocket. With this tracking system, the police will be able to monitor their movements. If the excavator is not being used for its intended purpose, the police should be able to tell based on the QR code on the vehicle,â he said.
He further stressed that scaling up the system is essential, adding, “We have everything we need to tackle this terrorism that is taking place.”
Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to putting an end to mining in Ghanaâs forest reserves. He also announced plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2003 (Act 703) to permanently prohibit mining in these areas.
During his address on the progress of his administrationâs first 120 days, Mahama outlined a detailed strategy to clean up the mining sector, which includes legal reforms, enhanced law enforcement, and land reclamation efforts.
âThe first 120 days have seen us take decisive action with a five-point strategy to overhaul and sanitize the mining sector,â Mahama stated. âThis includes regulatory reforms, strengthening law enforcement through joint task forces, collaboration with stakeholders, and reclaiming lands that have been degraded. Seven out of nine reserves have already been reclaimed, and illegal miners have been removed.â
He also mentioned the introduction of Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2462) in Parliament on March 20, 2025, to amend the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, which removes the presidentâs ability to approve mining in forest reserves.
The Central North Police Regional Commandâs Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce on April 7 apprehended five suspects â two Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals â for engaging in illegal mining activities on River Fum at Assin Ayitey, a farming community near Assin Akonfudi in the Assin North Constituency, within the Central North Police Region.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Duut Kwabena Sakakba, aged 29; Bismark Asare, aged 36; and three Chinese nationals â Lin Wei, aged 45; Zhao Min, aged 38; and Lu Chen, aged 41.
The Taskforce, acting on intelligence, conducted a swift operation that led to the arrest of the suspects while they were actively engaged in illegal mining operations that had severely polluted the river. The operation also resulted in the seizure of mining equipment, including excavators, water pumps, and other tools used in their activities.
Following their arrest, the suspects were transported to the Central North Police Regional Headquarters for further investigation and processing. Preliminary investigations revealed that the illegal mining activities had not only degraded the environment but also posed a significant threat to the livelihoods of local farmers and residents who depend on the river for farming and domestic purposes.
The Central North Regional Police Command has assured the public that it remains committed to combating illegal mining activities (galamsey) and preserving the regionâs natural resources. Authorities further indicated that the suspects will be charged and arraigned before court once investigations are completed.
The Police Command also called on community members to continue supporting the fight against galamsey by providing timely and accurate information that would assist security agencies in protecting the environment.
The Mpraeso Circuit Court has granted bail to three individualsâFreeman Kwafo, Augustine Asoma, and Bawa Muhammedâwho were arraigned on Tuesday for allegedly engaging in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, in the Eastern Region.
The trio was arrested on March 21, 2025, by some concerned youth of Akoase and later handed over to the police. After their court appearance, they were granted bail and are expected to reappear on April 25, 2025.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched an investigation into reports that two Chinese nationals, who were allegedly arrested alongside the three accused persons, have been released under unclear circumstances.
Law enforcement officials have assured the public of a thorough probe into the matter while reaffirming their commitment to curbing illegal mining in the region.
Three foreigners, including an Indian national, have been arrested at Anum in connection with illegal mining activities. The suspects, who also include a Chinese and a Burkinabe, were taken into custody during a crackdown by the Ashanti Region Anti-Galamsey Task Force.
In the same operation, six excavators used in the mining activities along River Anum in the Bosome Freho District were seized.
The arrests and equipment seizures are part of a broader effort by the Ashanti Regional Security Council to combat illegal mining. Following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum for miners to halt operations in forests and water bodies, a joint task force was deployed to enforce the directive.
The team, which includes personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Authority, and the Ghana Immigration Service, carried out the operation with the help of drone surveillance.
Drones deployed by the Environmental Protection Authority detected illegal mining activities and recorded the movement of excavators from the site after miners became aware of the task forceâs presence. Using these coordinates, security operatives tracked the equipment and made arrests. During the raid, several changfan boats were also found floating on the river.
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Retired) John Jabari, described the mission as only partially successful, stating that some excavators could not be transported because their control boards had been removed. He estimated that about sixty percent of the task forceâs objectives had been met.
Illegal mining continues to threaten the environment, particularly in the tributaries of River Anum, such as Anuru, Mentu, Adomesu, Bosompomaa, and Nana Mentu. Farmlands in the area have also suffered, with large tracts destroyed. While some landowners willingly sold their properties to miners, others were forcibly displaced.
One affected farmer, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed frustration over the pollution of water sources. He recalled that workers once relied on the river for cooking, but contamination has forced them to use sachet water instead. When they run out of water on the farm, they have no choice but to stop work for the day.
The scale of the destruction has prompted authorities to consider extending their operations beyond miners to those who supply them with equipment.
Captain Jabari indicated that efforts are underway to track and take action against individuals and businesses providing support to illegal miners.
The Asantehene,Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled Nana Amofa Twumasi II from his position as chief of Mpasaaso No.2 in the Ashanti Region. His destoolment follows multiple allegations, including involvement in illegal mining.
Additional concerns were raised regarding the legitimacy of his royal lineage and his failure to uphold accountability and proper leadership within his community and among traditional authorities.
After 41 years on the throne, the chief was found guilty by the Asanteman Kumasi Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace following allegations against him.
The primary reason for his destoolment was his involvement in illegal mining in the Mpasaaso community, which has caused significant damage to local water bodies.
The Asantehene stressed that the chief’s actions were a breach of traditional values, highlighting the duty of traditional leaders to uphold the law and safeguard the land.
In recent times, the Manhyia Palace has removed several chiefs from their positions due to their involvement in illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, there have been multiple instances where chiefs have been removed from their positions due to their involvement in illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.”
For example, in February 2025, the Asantehene destooled Nana Kusi Baaye II, the Chief of Ohwim, over allegations of illegal mining and other misconduct. Similarly, in August 2024, three chiefs in the Ashanti Region were also destooled for their involvement in illegal mining.
The Asantehene has been quite firm in his stance against illegal mining, emphasizing the responsibility of traditional leaders to uphold the law and protect the land.
It remains to be seen what steps the government will take after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, publicly lamented that illegal miners had overrun a gold prospecting concession belonging to him.
He revealed that unauthorized mining was taking place on the concession without his knowledge, raising serious questions about who is responsible for the environmental destruction from the illegal mining operations, which have devastated the banks of the Tano River.
âI have heard that the concession Ayisi [former chief executive of the Minerals Commission] granted me has been overrun by illegal (galamsey) miners. But I donât even know the place,â he said on February 14, 2025, when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, visited him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
âThe concession was given to me, and I intended to develop it, only to hear that illegal miners had taken over,â Otumfuo Osei Tutu said. âIf I am accused of engaging in galamsey as a traditional ruler, what can I say when I do not even know where the place is?â
His remarks have brought The Fourth Estateâs scrutiny to Bodukwan Holding Company Limited, the entity holding the concession, and its links to the Manhyia Palace.
Investigations by The Fourth Estate suggest that despite having only a prospecting license, extensive mining has taken place on the concession, raising legal and environmental concerns.
Bodukwan Holding Company Limited applied for a prospecting license on June 2, 2023, to explore for gold in Moseaso, Odumase in the Western Region. Six months later, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources approved the request, granting the company three years to conduct exploration over an area the size of 250 football pitches. A significant portion of this concession overlaps with the Tano River, a key water source for communities in Ghana and CĂŽte dâIvoire.
Prospecting licenses allow companies to conduct preliminary exploration but do not permit mining activities. Yet, satellite imagery reviewed by The Fourth Estate reveals widespread mining on the concession â evidence that illegal operations are taking place on the concession.
Environmental Degradation and Legal Violations
Ghanaâs mining laws prohibit activities that degrade the environment, particularly near water bodies. While the law does not explicitly require a 100-meter buffer zone, both the Minerals Commission and Water Resources Commission have advised that mining should not take place within this range to prevent pollution.
In 2021, the government declared riverbanks no-go areas for mining, a directive emphasized by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo and former Lands Minister Samuel Jinapor.
Despite these restrictions, The Fourth Estate found that Bodukwan Holding lacks key regulatory approvals, including an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit and a Water Use Permit from the Water Resources Commission (WRC). The Minerals Commission has also refused to provide a list of companies with operating permits, making it difficult to verify Bodukwanâs compliance status.
Who Owns Bodukwan Holding?
Incorporation records from the Office of the Registrar of Companies show that Bodukwan Holding is closely linked to Manhyia Palace.
The companyâs beneficial owner, Nana Duah Bonsu, serves as a co-director alongside Mujeeb Rahman Ahmed, a lawyer for Manhyia Palace, and Julia Ama Adwapa Amaning, widely known as Lady Julia, the wife of the Asantehene.
Beyond its mining interests, Bodukwan Holding is also the parent company of the Bodukwan Multifruit Processing Factory, which processes mangoes from its farms in the Nkoranza North District.
When contacted, Mujeeb Rahman Ahmed denied any involvement in illegal mining. He insisted that Bodukwan Holding had not begun operations at its site near Bibiani, let alone engaged in mining.
This was before the Asanteheneâs recent public remarks about the invasion of illegal miners on the concession.
âIf anyone is there, we need to deal with them,â Mr. Rahman told The Fourth Estate. âWe have no knowledge of any such activity. If someone is mining in our name, it is wrong. We are not aware of it.â
Who Could Be Responsible?
Environmental activists argue that once a company obtains a concession, it is legally responsible for protecting it from illegal mining.
Kwaku Afriyie, Technical Director of WACAM, an environmental advocacy group, maintains that if mining is taking place on a concession with only a prospecting lease, then the company is in breach of the law.
He stressed that companies are required to report illegal activities to the Minerals Commission and security agencies and are responsible for securing their own land.
Under Article 18 of the Constitution, Mr. Afriyie noted, every individual has the right to protect their property.
He also pointed out that if a company remains silent while its land is used for illegal mining, it raises questions about whether it is benefiting from the activity or is simply being negligent.
His concerns were echoed by Sandow Ali, Director of Mining at the EPA, who emphasized that companies cannot operate without securing four essential permits: a license from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, an EPA permit, an operating permit from the Minerals Commission, and a water use permit from the Water Resources Commission.
He made it clear that obtaining a ministerial license alone does not grant the right to begin mining and that any activity without the full set of approvals is illegal.
Will the Government Intervene?
With clear evidence of mining activity on Bodukwanâs concession and a lack of regulatory compliance, the question remains: will the government take action?
The Asanteheneâs frustration highlights the broader challenge of illegal mining in a country where even high-profile concessions are not spared from galamsey operations.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Illegal miners have seized control of more than nine forest reserves in Ghana, leaving authorities unable to access these protected areas, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has revealed.
Addressing Parliament, the minister described the situation as a national crisis, warning that illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, is causing widespread environmental destruction.
“Over nine out of the 44 forest reserves under attack have been completely taken over by these illegal mining gangs with impunity. The Forestry Commission no longer has access to these reserves,” he stated.
The minister further disclosed that an estimated 5,000 hectares of landâroughly the size of 7,000 football fieldsâhave been devastated by illegal mining activities.
According to him, the government is intensifying efforts to tackle the crisis, including the launch of the Blue Water Initiative, which will deploy river guards to protect water bodies from pollution caused by galamsey operations.
“In the short term, we want to clear all water bodies from illegal mining activities through the use of river guards under our Blue Water Initiative. Details of this initiative will be provided during its launch in the coming weeks,” he announced.
Despite past interventions, including military operations and legal actions, galamsey remains a major challenge. The minister lamented the weak enforcement of mining laws, citing low prosecution rates, with fewer than 40 convictions out of over 800 cases recorded in recent years.
With mounting pressure from environmental activists and the public, authorities are being urged to take stronger action to reclaim Ghanaâs forest reserves and water bodies before the damage becomes irreversible.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, emphasizing that no political connections will shield anyone from facing the full force of the law if caught engaging in galamsey.
During his vetting before the Appointment Committee on Monday, January 27, Mr. Buah pledged to intensify efforts to tackle the illegal mining menace that continues to devastate Ghanaâs natural resources.
âWe in opposition were very strong on the issue of illegal mining, and as Minister, I pledge to stand with the people of Ghana to fight this menace. It doesnât matter your status or your political correlation. If you want to engage in mining, there are legal processes for obtaining licenses, and we will ensure that these processes are followed,â he asserted.
Highlighting the persistent challenges with galamsey, Mr. Buah noted that previous interventions had faltered due to systemic weaknesses and insufficient community involvement. He proposed a new approach rooted in transparency and inclusive stakeholder engagement to drive sustainable solutions.
âOne of the key interventions we will implement is a new and transparent approach to community engagement. The people in mining areas must understand that the destiny of their communitiesâtheir river bodies and forestsârests in their hands. We will empower and respect them, ensuring they become active stakeholders in this fight,â he explained.
Mr. Buah also criticized the current implementation of the Community Mining Scheme, which he described as poorly designed, often excluding local communities from leadership roles and relegating them to menial tasks while external contractors dominate operations.
âThatâs not the type of community engagement we envision,â he said, emphasizing the need to reform the scheme by organizing communities into cooperatives and creating designated mining zones where their interests are prioritized.
To address the root causes of illegal mining, the Minister-designate stressed the importance of streamlining the licensing process to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that push miners into unlawful activities.
âNo one should have to wait four years for a license. That delay pushes people into illegal mining. We will make the process efficient and accessible to deter illegal activities,â he assured.
Additionally, Mr. Buah outlined plans to collaborate with the Minerals Commission and the Geological Survey Authority to thoroughly map mineralized areas and confine mining activities to specific zones.
âOur ultimate goal is to create a clear pathway for legal mining while dealing ruthlessly with those who engage in illegal operations. By empowering communities and fostering transparency, we can achieve sustainable mining practices that benefit everyone,â he concluded.
A renowned environmental journalist with Multimedia Group, Erastus Asare Donkor, has disclosed that six individuals will be charged in relation to a violent assault that occurred during his investigation of illegal mining activities at Asumenya in the Ashanti Region.
The incident took place on Sunday, October 19, as the journalist was covering the environmental impact of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited.
Speaking on Super Morning Show on Joy FM on Monday, January 20, Mr. Asare revealed that the hearing of the case had been postponed to February 12, 2025, due to procedural delays.
He also confirmed that six suspects had been identified and would be prosecuted.
âAt this point, we are dealing with six, so far six,â he revealed that around ten individuals had assaulted him during the incident. Of these, two suspects have been distinctly identified as being directly involved in the attack.
He explained, As we speak, the five drone batteries, the JBL headset, my Joy-branded jacket containing my ID card, visa cards, and other belongings are still with them, and we have no information on their whereabouts,â
âIt has not dampened our spirit to the point of giving up, no! Itâs our job, and we believe we must press on and fight to the end to ensure that our polluted waters and pillaged forests are restored,â he said resolutely.
The journalist also acknowledged the emotional impact of the incident, revealing that it had created some anxiety within his team. Despite this, he emphasized their resolve to carry on with their work.
Public Relations Officer for the Dunkwa Small Scale Miners Association, Peter Ayikwei, has denied claims that association members are involved in damaging forest reserves and river bodies.
At a climate event focused on illegal mining, he contended that politically supported miners, not members of the association, are responsible for environmental harm due to unauthorized mining activities.
âNo small-scale license is given in a forest reserve. No, no small-scale minerâs license is given in the forest reserves. Those in the forest reserves today, as I am talking to you, you can cross-check, are political miners. They are not small-scale miners, and they are illegal miners,â he argued.
He clarified that small-scale mining operates under strict regulations and adheres to mining laws, whereas those with political influence are often the ones exploiting the sector improperly.
âThe small-scale miner has no strength to enter into a forest reserve. We don’t have that strength to go into the forest reserve,â he said.
Renewed efforts to combat illegal mining have intensified recently following the destruction of numerous water bodies and forest reserves.
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, has emphasized that tackling illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, is vital for creating a sustainable economy.
He pointed out that illegal mining has harmful effects on various aspects, including people, poverty, employment, child labor, the environment, and water resources, while also facilitating illicit financial flows.
Mr. Abani made these remarks during his keynote address at the launch of the Institute of Sustainability Professionals Ghana (ISPG).
To reinforce his argument, he noted that a UN study estimates that the minimum impact of illicit financial flows in the region amounts to US$3 billion annually.
âPer our estimate in the UN, based on proxy figures from other countries in the sub-region where we have done this study, the minimum Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) impact in the region is US$3billion a year.â
âThat is the size of money you borrowed from the IMF for three years to survive. So, if you address galamsey you will have a sustainable economy,â he stated.
Supporting UN statistics, a study conducted by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) regarding illicit financial flows (IFFs) and the extractive industry in Ghana revealed that in 2013, illegal mining alone resulted in losses of US$1.7 billion for the country.
In light of this, Mr. Abani encouraged citizens to actively engage in discussions about illegal and unregulated mining, highlighting its potential as a transformative issue that could lead to a sustainable economy.
The Institute of Sustainability Professionals Ghana (ISPG) is committed to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing professional development in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards within the country.
It aims to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, providing a platform for professionals and organizations to establish a comprehensive sustainability framework.
Professor Mathew Tsamenyi, President of ISPG, stated that the institute seeks to create a unified platform for sustainability discussions, ensure standardization, and empower businesses and SMEs to adopt sustainability practices for growth while protecting the environment for future generations.
Indeed, galamsey has become a significant topic of conversation in Ghana, marked by its association with environmental degradation, depletion of land and water resources, health risks for miners, and various social and economic repercussions.
This has prompted concerned citizens and organizations to intensify their efforts to guide the country toward a path of environmental integrity.
However, in combatting illegal methods of mining it is important that the extractive sector plays a critical role in economic development.
This is exemplified by the fact that the mining sector contributed a record GHâ”11.55billion (US$980million) in taxes in 2023, an 81.1 percent increase from GHâ”6.38billion in 2022 â making it the largest source of domestic tax revenue.
Thus, the sector accounted for 22.7 percent of all direct taxes; highlighting its significant role in the economy.
Obviously, this surge in tax revenues is expected to provide a significant boost to government coffers as Ghana works to reduce its public debt and stabilise the local currency, the cedi.
Additionally, mineral exports reached US$7.8billion during the year under review â a 15 percent rise from the previous yearâs US$6.8billion. The sector accounted for 47 percent of the countryâs gross merchandise exports.
Consequently, it places the sector ahead of cocoa and oil â traditionally the economyâs main export drivers, solidifying miningâs dominance in the countryâs trade portfolio. Meanwhile, US$4.2billion (71.3 percent) was returned to the economy, data from the Ghana Chamber of Mines indicate.
In addition to foreign exchange contributions, mining companies spent some US$5.4billion on local products, services and community projects â with US$3.146billion dedicated to local procurement.
This development aligns with the countryâs efforts to promote local content and enhance Ghanaian businessesâ participation in the mining value chain.
The sector also allocated US$31.53million toward corporate social responsibility initiatives in host communities: including investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure development.
The mining sectorâs robust performance provides crucial fiscal relief as government seeks to balance its budget and implement austerity measures.
Despite these positive contributions, concerns about environmental degradation linked to illegal mining remain significantâŠ. with the Chamber severally indicating the danger it poses to investments of member-companies.
Consequently, recent times have seen environmental groups, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and organised labour calling for stronger regulation to protect forest reserves and water-bodies.
A Ghanaian woman allegedly involved in illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, has urged Ghanaians to direct their frustrations toward President Akufo-Addo instead of her.
In a video making waves on social media, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the backlash she has faced, asserting, “I am not the one to change Ghana; channel your grievances to Akufo-Addo.”
Her comments have since sparked significant attention, particularly as they seem to implicate the President himself in the illegal mining crisis that has plagued the nation.
According to her the President has his own galamsey site, stating, “Akufo-Addo has a galamsey site. I can lead you to the place.”
Her remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of the government’s response to illegal mining, particularly as the detrimental effects of galamsey on water bodies and agricultural land have become more pronounced.
The mining industry has long been a contentious topic in Ghana, with many community members expressing frustration over the loss of land and resources to mining operations.
Meanwhile, a Medical Doctor and Toxicologist, Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, has indicated that restoring Ghanaâs water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, may take 10 to 15 years.
During his appearance on JoyNewsâ Newsfile program on Saturday, October 12, Dr. Boamah underscored the significant environmental damage caused by galamsey and the extensive timeframe necessary for recovery.
He explained that the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals like mercury and cyanide has severely contaminated the nationâs rivers and streams, complicating the restoration process.
Even with immediate action, he warned that ecological recovery would require long-term strategies, including ongoing monitoring and remediation.
A Senior Lecturer at Koforidua Technical University, Dr. Benjamin Kwofie, has highlighted the pivotal role of technology in combating illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
However, he stressed that effective leadership commitment is equally essential to address the challenges posed by these operations.
Galamsey has become a pressing issue in Ghana, particularly in recent years, as it contributes to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
The practice, which often involves unregulated and informal mining operations, poses a serious threat to the countryâs natural resources and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
As illegal miners exploit land and resources without regard for regulations, the government has faced mounting pressure from civil society groups and environmentalists to take decisive action against this growing menace.
In a recent discussion with Accra-based, Citi FM, Dr. Kwofie advocated for the use of drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, stating that these tools can provide invaluable data regarding illegal mining activities, regardless of the time of day.
âThese drones have sufficient power to capture images that will give you actual data on what is going on the ground, whether daytime or nighttime,â he explained.
According to Dr. Kwofie, the accurate information gathered through drone technology can significantly aid decision-makers, including local chiefs and authorities. By presenting clear evidence of galamsey activities, community leaders can no longer dismiss the issue as mere speculation.
âWhen this information is made available to decision-makers, they will not think it a figment of somebody’s imagination. They will see it for themselves,â he emphasized.
He further underscored that over time, consistent documentation of the devastating impact of galamsey through these images will dispel any notions that concerns are merely political tactics.
Dr. Kwofie stated, âIf the devastating nature of galamsey is pointed out through these images, nobody will say that it’s a political gimmick.â
By leveraging technology and ensuring strong leadership, he believes that the fight against galamsey can gain momentum, leading to more effective strategies to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has strongly denied allegations that he supports illegal mining, often referred to as galamsey.
In a statement released on September 24, 2024, Nana Bonya III, the Atipimhene of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Council, conveyed this message to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He asserted that recent claims accusing Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II of opposing the ban on illegal mining are baseless and untrue.
Nana Bonya III clarified that comments made by Ogyeahoho Gyebi during the opening of the Minerals Commissionâs district office in Bibiani had been misinterpreted by some journalists. He condemned those spreading false information about the President’s stance.
The statement emphasized that Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, who also serves as the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso traditional area, did not endorse illegal mining in his address, as reported by various media outlets. It noted that his remarks had been taken out of context.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that Ogyeahoho Gyebi II has consistently spoken out against illegal mining while advocating for responsible practices.
The statement concluded by labeling the misleading publications as a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.
âOgyeahoho has therefore advised journalists to be more professional and ethical in the discharge of their duties.
âAs the Fourth Estate of the realm of governance, and partners in the development and progress of the country, you should not allow yourself to be used as conduits for false.
A protestor, Naa Densua, highlighted that galamsey activities have devastated numerous forests and severely polluted water bodies.
The organization initiated a three-day protest on September 21 to raise awareness about the harmful impact of illegal mining. However, numerous demonstrators were arrested on the second day.
As a result, the streets were deserted on the third day of the protest.
Speaking on JoyNews the Pulse on September 23 on what the groupâs next line of action would be, Naa Densua said, âWe will go out again. You know why? My grandchildren do not deserve to be drinking galamsey water ever.â
The police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the leaders of the demonstrators, following the arrest of several protestors on Sunday for various offenses.
Although the police launched a manhunt, Mr. Barker-Vormawor has stated that he is not evading authorities and is willing to cooperate.
In the meantime, Mr. Barker-Vormawor has been taken into custody by the Ghana Police Service in relation to the recent protests.
Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Central Region, Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, has disclosed a shift in the chemicals used to treat water from the Pra River for public consumption.
According to Mr. Barnie, aluminum sulfate, commonly known as alum, is no longer being used by the GWCL due to its ineffectiveness in producing clean water. This development is attributed to the heavy pollution of the river caused by the activities of illegal miners in the area.
In a media interview, Mr. Barnie stated that the GWCL has now resorted to using polyelectrolyte, which has significantly increased the company’s financial burden.
âRiver Pra has been polluted to the extent that aluminum sulfate is no longer effective in treating water from River Pra. But we need to treat the water anyway, and so we have gone in for another chemical called polyelectrolyte or polymer,â he explained.
The Public Relations Officer further noted that using polymers for water treatment is four times more expensive than using aluminum sulfate. âIt means that our treatment cost has gone up,â he added.
Aluminum sulfate is a chemical compound that is primarily used in water treatment due to its ability to cause impurities to clump together, making it easier to remove them from the water.
How Aluminum Sulfate works in water treatment
Research indicates that when aluminum sulfate is added to water, it reacts to form a gel-like substance called aluminum hydroxide. This process lowers the waterâs pH and helps coagulate or flocculate suspended particles, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities. These impurities bind with the aluminum hydroxide to form larger particles, or flocs, which are easier to filter or settle at the bottom for removal. This essential process is known as coagulation and flocculation and plays a vital role in water purification.
Polymers, which are large molecules made of repeating structural units derived from smaller molecules (monomers), are commonly used in water treatment. Synthetic polymers, in particular, enhance the purification process.
Recent videos on social media show the water from the Pra River appearing deep brown, signaling extreme contamination levels.
In related news, four individuals believed to be responsible for the severe pollution of the Pra River through illegal mining activities have been apprehended.
The consequences of the river’s contamination extend beyond the destruction of the water source and the lack of potable water for surrounding communities. Recent developments indicate that the contaminated water is now being used for irrigation, posing a significant public health risk.
"River Pra has been polluted to the extent that Alum is no longer effective in treating it."
As discussions intensify about the alarming surge in illegal mining (galamsey) and its detrimental effects on Ghana, media personalityNana Aba Anamoahhas taken to social media to voice her concerns.
The rapid degradation of Ghana’s rivers, once clear and blue but now tainted brown and polluted, has sparked widespread outrage.
Civil society groups, traditional leaders, policy analysts, opposition members, and many worried Ghanaians are raising alarms about the environmental damage and resource depletion caused by these illegal mining operations.
Nana Aba Anamoah has added her voice to the outcry, questioning the inaction of river gods in the face of the crisis.
On X, she expressed her frustration with the lack of tangible results from the measures taken so far, asking,
“Why arenât the river gods addressing the pollution caused by galamsey? Are they unable to confront the politicians and chiefs involved? I am truly shocked.”
In response to the ongoing situation, some social media users are calling for the resignation of President Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis.
General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Edward Kareweh, has identified illegal mining, known as galamsey, as the foremost threat to agriculture in Ghana.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Kareweh stressed the urgency of addressing this issue in discussions with political leaders who aspire to govern the country.
During his conversation with Evans Mensah, Kareweh highlighted the severe impact of climate change on agriculture, noting that expected seasonal reductions in food prices have not materialized due to delayed or insufficient rainfall.
He emphasized that the combined effects of climate change and local actions, particularly illegal mining, are devastating for the sector.
“People think that climate change is a Western problem, but we are feeling its effects too. Why arenât we harvesting enough? Itâs not just the rains; our lands are destroyed,” Kareweh explained. “The persistent destruction of land by galamsey without reclamation has a lasting impact, much like the aftermath of a fire.”
Kareweh revealed that illegal mining is rampant in 13 out of the 16 regions, posing a significant threat to agriculture. “Illegal mining has become the number one threat to agriculture, making the future look bleak,” he warned.
He criticized political parties for not clearly articulating their strategies to combat illegal mining.
“Weâve demanded clear plans from political parties on how they will address galamsey. With such extensive land degradation, how can we build irrigation dams when our rivers are destroyed? Any river dammed today would yield polluted water unsuitable for agriculture,” he stated.
Kareweh also expressed concerns that the effects of climate change would hit Ghana harder than other countries due to the extensive damage caused by illegal mining.
He noted that neighboring countries like Burkina Faso are advancing their agricultural irrigation and will soon cease exporting food crops, focusing instead on processing them domestically.
“The impact of climate change, combined with illegal mining activities, will severely affect Ghanaâs agricultural sector,” Kareweh concluded.
The GAWU General Secretary’s remarks underline the critical need for immediate and effective measures to tackle illegal mining and mitigate its harmful effects on agriculture and the environment.
National Democratic Congress (NDC)candidate for Essikado-Ketan, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has condemned Ernest Frimpong, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Wassa Amenfi East, for allegedly inciting violence against the military.
Frimpong allegedly encouraged illegal miners to resist enforcement of mining laws by security forces, which was captured in a viral video.
Despite Frimpong’s denial and explanation that his remarks were misconstrued, he was arrested and subsequently released on bail after questioning.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah criticised Frimpong’s remarks during a media engagement, ” emphasising their potential harm to environmental conservation and national security.
âIt is very sad and it is not good for our security… It is unconscionable and it should never happen again,â she stated.
Furthermore,Dr Ayensu-Danquahsuggested that the episode reflects a grave deficiency in leadership, stating, âIt is a serious lack of leadership.â
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.
âWe 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.
âI 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,â he said.
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, âThe 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.â
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.
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 Commissionâs Chief Executiveâs 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.
âThe 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.
âSo 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 unitsâ, he stated.
Five individuals engaged in illegal mining activities in the Ankobra River without authorization have been collectively sentenced to a total of 125 years in prison with hard labor.
The convicted individuals, namely Richard Kumasi, Fiamahe Jerry John, Korblavi Kumasi, Daniel Afenu, and Matthew Gedie, initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and engaging in small-scale mining without proper authorization.
Following a trial, Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, the presiding judge, found all five defendants guilty of the charges brought against them.
On the first count, each defendant received a five-year prison sentence. On the second count, each defendant was fined GHïż 120,000 (Ghanaian Cedis) or, in default, would serve an additional five years in prison with an additional 20 years of hard labor. These sentences will run concurrently.
The prosecution was led by Mr. Kingsley Agyekum, the Assistant State Attorney of the Western Region. The complainant in the case was Nana Yaw Baako, the Assemblymember of the Himan Electoral Area. The accused individuals were identified as illegal miners residing in Ankobra within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2021, at around 1500 hours when the complainant and five community opinion leaders received information about the accused individuals using a dredge machine, commonly known as a “Boat,” for gold prospecting in the Ankobra River.
Acting on this tip, they proceeded to the village of Kpoviadzi in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, where they apprehended the five individuals who were engaged in the illegal mining activity. The accused were subsequently handed over to the Prestea police for further investigation, and the dredge machine was set on fire.
Prior to the trial, the five defendants had been granted bail, as requested by their counsel, Mr. Augustine Arvoh-Mensah.
A member of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) under the Forestry Commission (FC), John Baba Konlan, has allegedly been shot in both the head and back.
Unidentified illegal miners purportedly struck him within the Cape 3 Points Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
According to the Takoradi Forest District Office of the Forest Services Division, several illegal miners were operating in the Reserve near the Morrison Community.
A team of nine personnel, consisting of Rapid Response Unit personnel and Forest Guards, was swiftly dispatched to the spot to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the report.
When they arrived at the Reserve, three members were left in the operation vehicle, while the remainder hiked for over an hour through the forest to the illicit mining location.
The team members noticed a dugout pit with illegal miners busy doing âdig and washâ from a distance.
The team members agreed to use separate routes to encircle and arrest the illegal miners.
According to one of the team members, he heard gunshots a few minutes after they had taken their own routes to the pit and so became vigilant, looking for signals of danger.
He proceeded forward a little and spotted the illegal miners fleeing into the forest, leaving their tools behind.
He stated that a few minutes later, he heard one of his team members screaming and calling out to the rest of the team members to rush to the help of Mr. John Baba Konlan, who had been shot.
They took him to the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital in the Western Region.
He was referred to the Cape Coast Regional Hospital for additional treatment.
He was then referred to the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Accra, where he was hospitalised.
He has since been dismissed and told to return in two weeks for a review.
The Savannah Region Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, has stated that the joint operation involving the military, the Regional Security Council and the Minerals Commission to eliminate illegal miners on the Black Volta is still in progress.
This update comes after receiving a recent report from the Six Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Savannah Regional Security Council, and the Minerals Commission on Wednesday, July 26.
Recalling the media briefing held on Friday, July 21, by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, he reiterated the government’s strong commitment to combat the surge in illegal mining activities (galamsey) along the Black Volta River.
The efforts have already yielded positive results, with areas like Jama, Jugboi, and Bamboi in the Savannah Region successfully cleared of illegal miners.
The Minister further assured the public that the Ministerial Coordinating Committee on illegal mining remains resolute in stopping illegal mining activities along major rivers and water bodies. These areas have been designated as ‘Red Zones’ by the Government in its efforts to curb illegal mining.
Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has stated its determination to continue shutting down plants in regions affected by illegal mining if the turbidity levels of raw water exceed a critical threshold.
Managing Director of the utility company, Clifford Braimah, highlighted the significant effects of illegal mining on their operations and called for collaborative efforts to address this problem.
In a Public Accounts Committee hearing, he defended the companyâs proposed 334% tariff increase, explaining that it aims to motivate Ghanaians to assume responsibility by deterring illegal mining activities within their communities.
âIf 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.â
âIf you pollute the water and the cost of treatment goes up, why donât you pay for it because you are making money in one breath polluting the water?â
Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma, Mr. Kofi Amanankwah-Manu, has made it clear that he will not intervene on behalf of anyone involved in illegal mining as an MP.
He firmly believes that such actions would undermine the government’s efforts to combat the destructive activities of illegal miners, which have adverse effects on the environment and water bodies throughout the country.
Addressing the fourth session of the District Assembly, Mr. Amankawah-Manu issued a stern warning to influential personalities in society, including chiefs, politicians, assembly members, and others, who support illegal mining activities. He urged them to refrain from engaging in such unpatriotic businesses.
As both an MP and the Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr. Amankawah-Manu emphasized that the law would take its course regardless of the identity or status of those caught destroying the ecosystem through illegal mining activities. The principle of law and order would prevail in dealing with such matters.
âThe topmost discourse in the country for years now, has been the activities of illegal miners who are polluting water bodies and plundering our natural resources,â he said.
He said the activities were carried out by some natives with the backing of financiers in poor communities, muddying river bodies and destroying roads, thereby exposing people to many dangers associated with the menace.
The MP lamented the lackadaisical attitudes of security agencies in the district towards the fight against illegal mining and urged them to step up to protect the environment from destruction.
âDo not connive with such unscrupulous people undermining governmentâs effort to fight the act,â he advised them.
He advised those who want to go into mining to put together a proposal and register with the appropriate bodies so that their activities could be regulated.
According to the MP, he had no authority to release impounded excavators to owners and asked those calling on his office for such help to stop.
On the poor roads in the district, he noted that the government was committed to fixing the roads, adding that some of them had been awarded on contract already.
He urged all contractors working on roads in the district to deliver quality work and avoid delays.
He announced that consultation with stakeholders was ongoing to terminate the contract of the contractor working on the Twedie-Foase stretch due to unsatisfactory work done so far.
Mr. Amankwah-Manu assured the constituents of his commitment to lobby for development projects across the district and urged them to remain calm.
Investigations into four significant cases have been concluded by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The four prominent cases are; a case related to the Gaming Commission, Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, a wealthy businessman involved in attempting to bribe Members of Parliament, and Charles Bissue, the former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor made this known in a Half Yearly Report.
Charles Adu Boahen
The Office has concluded investigation into a referral by the President of the Republic in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
The corruption allegations are contained in an investigative documentary titled, Galamsey Economy â published by Tiger Eye P.I. and the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
According to the Special Prosecutor, he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.
Unnamed Wealthy Businessman
The Special Prosecutor has indicated that he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.
The OSP expressed its gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and his staff for their cooperation and assistance during the investigation.
Gaming Commission of Ghana
The Office has concluded investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement and the award of a contract to Turfsport Ghana Limited by the Gaming Commission of Ghana.
According to the Special Prosecutor, he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.
Charles Bissue
The Office has concluded investigation into allegations of the use of public office for profit against Charles Bissue, during his tenure as Secretary to the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), arising from an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Fraud Part I published by Tiger Eye P.I. and the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
This investigation is a subset of a wider investigation on illegal mining and the activities and operations of the IMCIM.
The Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.
Ongoing Investigations
Electricity Company of Ghana Limited Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
Illegal Mining Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding illegal mining â referred to as Galamsey.
The investigation targets some officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission. It also targets the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), especially in respect of the seizure and management of excavators, machinery, road vehicles, and gold nuggets.
The investigation further targets the activities of Akonta Mining Limited and other companies; nationals of foreign countries allegedly involved in illegal mining; and allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences against some Municipal and District Chief Executives.
National Sports Authority
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority for the provision of goods and services to the following entities:
âą Acoma Green Consult âą Tabee Gh. Limited âą Wanschie Car Rentals âą Obiri Car Rentals âą No Farmer No Fortune âą STC Clinic âą Bobina Solutions âą Mum & Sons Signature
Ghana Water Company Limited
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by Ghana Water Company Limited for the provision of goods and services to the following entities: âą Nayak 96 Enterprise âą Dencom Construction Works âą Edmus Limited âą Jomaks âą Espab Construction Limited âą Roger More Construction Limited âą Velech Enterprise âą Intermec Gh. Limited âą A.J.I. Trading & Construction Limited
Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority
Following the publication by the Office of an investigation report on 3 August 2022 in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, the Special Prosecutor directed the commencement of a wider investigation into the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdowns of benchmark values.
Investigation is also ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.
Airbus SE
Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged bribery by Airbus SE, a European multinational aerospace corporation, regarding the sale and purchase of military aircrafts for the Republic. The Office is engaged with INTERPOL and the central authorities of the United Kingdom and the United States under the mutual legal assistance regime.
Bank of Ghana
Investigation is ongoing in respect of the banking and financial sector crisis that precipitated the collapse of some banks and financial institutions and the financial sector clean up and recapitalisation reforms.
The investigation targets alleged corruption and corruption-related offences perpetrated by some officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and financial holding companies.
Ghana Police Service
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in regarding the recruitment exercise of Course 51 of Cadet Officers Training at the Ghana Police Academy.
The investigation targets specific cases of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences and acts of the use of office for profit, abuse of office, abuse of power, favouritism, nepotism, victimisation and the selection of unqualified persons.
Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie alias Sir John
Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged improper acquisition of state protected land at the Achimota Forest enclave and the Sakumono Ramsar site by the deceased former Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission.
Following the refusal by the High Court, Accra to affirm the freezing order issued by the Special Prosecutor, the Office appealed to the Court of Appeal, Civil Division, Accra for a reversal of the decision of the High Court to facilitate the investigation and the final resolution of the matter.
Other Cases
The Office is also investigating one hundred and fifty (150) other cases at various levels of consideration. These would be publicised if the Special Prosecutor determines that they are within the mandate of the Office and that they should be moved past the preliminary investigation stage.
This is a policy intended to protect the privacy of individuals and the business operations of institutions and companies, and to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation.
Six Chinese individuals operating at an illegal mining site have been arrested by the Operation Halt II team in the Amansie Central Districtof the Ashanti Region.
The suspects, six Chinese and a Ghanaian, were found engaging in illegal mining in defiance of the governmentâs ban on activity, popularly known as galamsey.
They have wreaked havoc on the environment and water bodies, including River Offin.
Since Tuesday, June 6, the Operation Halt II team has mounted a sustained operation.
They have patrolled Apamprama Forest Reserve, Oda Forest Reserve, Bosomtwe Forest Range and other galamsey sites in Ashanti Region.
Districts visited included Amansie Central, Amansie South, Bekwai Municipal and Bosome Freho District.
Those arrested were galamsey operators mining off reserve area of Bosomtwe Range Forest, illegal mining sites and other unauthorized sites.
The team seized 30 excavators with some of them being decommissioned.
Other machines for illegal mining were also burnt by the team during the operation.
Their mission is to fight against illegal mining in forest reserves and river bodies.
Some Changfan machines, water pumping machines fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures were all affected.
The six Chinese arrested were handed over to the Immigration Officers in the Bekwai Municipality whilst the excavators were taken to the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces in Kumasi.
The Deputy Commander of the Operation Halt II, Lt. Col. Louis Boakye, said the exercise was to conduct confirmatory patrols in areas visited.
âWe are undertaking confirmatory patrols to check whether we have illegal miners within our forest reserves we visited last time,â he stated.
He expressed worry on how the illegal miners have invaded forest reserves and destroyed economic trees and water bodies.
According to him, the action of illegal miners poses threat to farmers and security.
He appealed to the people to desist from negative practice.
He assured that âwe fight to win and never give upâ.
The Ring Leader of the Rapid Response Team of the Bekwai Forest District, Ebenezer Appiah, expressed serious concern about the way information is leaked to the galamsey operators when they are embarking on a patrol.
âWe are doing our best to protect the forest reserves,â he said.
He said the continuous attacks on Team by the illegal miners pose serious threat to members.
On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Charles Bissue, the former secretary of the disbanded Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining(IMCIM), surrendered himself to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
A statement from the OSP said Bissue was arrested at 11:45 GMT and interviewed by officials of the Office. He was subsequently released on bail.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor declared Charles Bissue wanted last week following the failure of the latter to respond to an invitation from the Special Prosecutor to appear and answer questions regarding the ongoing investigation into suspected corruption within the now defunct IMCIM.
Charles Bissuewho already is on trial for alleged corruption-related offences linked to him in the Anas Aremeyaw Anasâs galamsey fraud documentary is also being investigated for alleged corruption issues related to some expenses of the then Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining.
Charles Bissue however, secured a ruling of the court purporting to quash the arrest warrant.
But the OSP in what looked like a response to the court order revealed that it does not need a warrant to effect arrest.
As a result, the arrest status of Charles Bissue on the website of the office of the special prosecutor remained as wanted.
But that has since changed to reported after he turned himself in.
In an accompanying statement, the Special Prosecutor revealed that Charles Bissue has been put under arrest, interviewed and released on bail.
The Amazon’s small-scale gold mining might not be that modest after all.
The world’s largest rainforest contains the largest amount of illegal mining, which adds to deforestation and disturbs indigenous tribes.
Still, Brazil does allow some activity in the region, though artisanal operations have fewer restrictions than large-scale mining.
The latest study by environmental group Instituto Escolhas shows that many small operations are too big to be considered artisanal â and thus should be more closely regulated.
The average investment to hire workers and bring in equipment to dredge rivers and recover gold in the Brazilian rainforest is 3.3 million reais ($690,000), according to a report published Monday by Instituto Escolhas.
Thatâs enough to employ 75 Brazilian mining technicians for a year. Each of these operations â known as garimpos â can generate annual revenue of around 13.9 million reais, the institute said.
Small land-based mining can bring in 11 million reais.
âGarimpos benefit from legislation that makes few requirements,â Larissa Rodrigues of Escolhas said in a statement. âTherein lies the interest in continuing to maintain the artisanal aura of mining, which has not been a reality for a long time.â
The Accra High Court has rejected the “submission of no case” filed by En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, the alleged Chinese illegal mining kingpin, in a illegal mining (galamsey) case.
In a ruling today, the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Aisha Huang, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.
Consequently, the court directed the accused person to open her defence to answer to the charges leveled against her.
Not guilty
En Huang, a Chinese national has been accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region.
She was deported from Ghana in 2018, after the A-G decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without licence.
However, she was said to have sneaked back into Ghana to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.
The Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, 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 has 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.
One person has been found dead in Atewa Forest at Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern region after an alleged violent clash between two illegal mining groups.
According to sources, there were exchanges of gunshots leading to the death of one and others are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.
The illegal miners fled after the deadly clash leaving the dead body in the bush.
It was reported that, the police moved into the the forest to retrieve the body, which has been deposited at the Kibi government Hospital morgue.
Some illegal miners who were trapped in a shaft belonging to the Anglogold Ashanti Mine have revealed how they survived inside the pit after having to spend some days underground.
According to a few of them who were trapped with over a hundred and fifty (150) others inside the pit, they had to survive on powdered pepper and onion when their food got exhausted.
For fear of being arrested and fined huge sums of money they couldnât afford, they said they chose to stay underground than to use the main exit of the company to be arrested after their illegal point of entry had been blocked by AngloGold Ashantiâs security.
The incident occurred at the AngloGoldâs Ashanti Mineâs shaft at Anwiam in the Obuasi East district of the Ashanti region.
The young men narrated their story Wednesday, June 7, 2023, when Onua TV/FMâs Maakye went to Obuasi with the Peoplesâ Assembly.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Obuasi East, Faustina Amissah, has confirmed reports that personnel of the Ghana Armed Force were deployed to Obuasi over the commotion surrounding reports of illegal miners being trapped in a mine shaft belonging to AngloGold Ashanti.
On May 31, 2023, there was heavy military presence in the community after a viral video showed the men clashing with some residents of Obuasi.
According to the Obuasi East DCE, some illegal small-scale miners started pelting stones at the military officers protecting AngloGold, The Chronicle newspaper reports.
This, she said, forced the army to call reinforcement from its 2BN in Kumasi, to help its officers protect the workers of the company because the illegal miners were on rampage.
“They were stoning the soldiers because they have now realised that after all, AGA soldiers will or shout because of their corporate image are working on certain things to have a local soldier barracks,â she is quoted to have said in an interview with The Chronicle.
The DCE also said that only 101 illegal miners were trapped and not 300 as reported in the media and that all of these people have been arrested.
She was worried about the failure to stop the galamseyers from entering the mining pits of AngloGold Ashanti.
She warned that if people are not stopped from illegally entering the mine it might, one day, collapse; adding that âIf not before we realise, we have to close down the mines again,â he said.
Twenty-six (26) persons have been arrested by the Operation Halt II team in a latest swoop targeted at illegal miners.
The 26 suspects were found operating at an illegal mining site, popularly known as galamsey, and also engaging in other poor environmental practices, at Patase, Wassa Dunkwa, in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region.
The suspects, including four Togolese, were found engaging in illegal mining, sand winning and lumbering in defiance of governmentâs ban placed on these activities that continued to wreak havoc on the environment and water bodies, including River Tano.
The Ghana Armed Forces deployed soldiers of all ranks to begin the second phase of âOperation Haltâ to rid the countryâs water bodies of illegal miners. It is aimed at removing all logistics and persons involved in illegal mining on water bodies.
The arrest of the 26 suspects followed an order by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, when he was accompanied by journalists and a team of âOperation HaltIIâ personnel aboard a Ghana Airforce aircraft to conduct an aerial assessment of âOperation Halt II, atWassaDunkwa.
The deputy minister also asked Kwasi Addae to produce a permit authorizing him to lumber at Patase.
âSend those suspects to the nearest Police station for prosecution. The law will be made to work to address the problem,â Mr. Duker instructed.
The operation led by General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, Brigadier General Michael Kwaku Amoah Ayisi and the Second-in-Command, Operation Halt 11, Lieutenant Colonel Harrison Dadzie, revealed an expanse area devasted by illegal mining atWassaDunkwa.
Aerial view of the site showed total destruction of the forest cover as the illegal miners had dug deep craters as big as three football fields with pools of stagnant water.
The galamseyers had also diverted the tributaries of River Tanoon, where they mounted ChanFan machines and generators to mine gold ore.
The long and labyrinthine river water, which looked dirty, bleak, brown and polluted, crisscrossed makeshift houses built along the river banks.
Additionally, trees in the rich, green and virgin forest had been felled to pave the way for illegal gold mining, posing a danger to farmers.
Soon as the team disembarked, they encountered a tipper truck at WassaDunkwa loaded with sand, and Mr Duker ordered the sand should be offloaded.
He condemned the uncontrolled sand winning at illegal mining sites, the galamsey site, where deep holes had been dug to aggravate the situation, and asked whether they would drink the very water they destroyed.
Mr. Duker told the suspects, âDrink the water; now you are afraid. You must stop this bad behaviour. You are destroying this beautiful country, the virgin environment, and the fish in the rivers. Why do you win sand and destroy the water bodies? If our forebearers had done these, we wouldnât have come to meet these valuable national assets.â
Lt. Col. Dadzie noted that the suspects, who could not name the owner of the WassaDunkwa site, were the same people who win sand and fell lumber in the area and wondered how four Togolese found their way to Ghana.
Meanwhile, Brig. General Amoah-Ayisi has said that 11 offenders have been prosecuted and jailed so far.
A former Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini, says illegal mining activities in the country are a result of the corrupt actions of the leaders.
According to him, both corruption and illegal mining require equal attention in eradicating them.
âWhat is happening in the mining sites is simply a manifestation of corruption. What has aggravated the situation is because of the corrupt activities of officials closer to government,â he said on JoyNewsâ Newsfile on Saturday.
Mr. Fuseini recounted that during his days as an active government official, he visited a community where he surprisingly saw about five Chang Fan machines on a river body.
He said the operations of the illegal miners were known by the District Chief Executive who was seemingly doing nothing to report the perpetrators and because it was illegal and occurred under the jurisdiction of the DCE, Mr Fuseini called for him to be removed from office.
He explained that illegal mining needs to be confronted as âa full enemyâ because the activity threatens all aspects of the economy.
Ghanaâs issue of illegal mining activities seems to be on the rise despite several calls on the government to help fight against it.
Although the government had indicated that there were no more Chang Fan machines on any of the river bodies, reports indicate that hundreds of these machines are still seen.
Mr Fuseini lamented that towns such as Obuase and Kibi where illegal mining activities are taking place currently are suffering the consequences.
âAnybody who visits hospitals in the mining areas will be left in no doubt that we have to do something against galamsey. When you go to Obuasi, when you go to Kibi, youâll see deformities, babies born with deformities, I mean short limbs, abnormally big heads, and pregnancy complications,â he noted.
He, therefore, called for a multi-stakeholder engagement in the fight against the menace.
âBut the primary responsibility lies with the government to be able to bring together all the stakeholders and to demonstrate that it is really committed,â he stressed.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Forestry Committee, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has pointed accusing fingers at the Government for boosting illegal miners.
His allegation comes after a series of attacks by illegal miners on legal gold mining firms in the country. The most recent one was when a group of illegal miners forcefully, took over portions of Anglo-Gold in the Ashanti Region.
Reacting to this situation on JoyNewsâ PM Express, the legislator described it as terrible.
According to him, these happenings attest to the findings of former Environment Minister, Prof Kwabeng Frimpong Boateng â that indeed government officials are involved in the canker.
âNow it is logically the case that the government itself is involved and emboldening the illegal miners to do what theyâre doing.
âIt is so terrible, it is attacking the very nerve center of our gold industry, the legally acceptable companies that have taken license and have been given the right to mine are being attacked,â he said on Wednesday.
Dr Pelpuo further revealed that the government through the Minerals Commission has from 2021 to 2023 issued licenses to seven companies.
These companies he said have been identified mining in areas that have been declared red zone.
âAnd the reason I believe that the government is involved is that, in April 2021, the government declared that it was illegal to mine at forest reserves and river beds, however, between 2021 and 2023, seven licenses have been issued by the Minerals Commission to companies. And these companies have been spotted in these red zone areas.â
The Ghana Armed Forces reportedly deployed its personnel to Obuasi on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, over the commotion surrounding reports of illegal miners being trapped in a mine shaft belonging to AngloGold.
It is not clear why the military personnel were deployed but a video shared by Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV showed them trying to control an aggrieved crowd of people.
The army personnel arrived in some of their military vehicles and they were more than fifty in number.
They started firing warning shots after some residents started pelting stones at them.
The personnel could also be seen preventing some youth in civilian clothing from working towards certain directions.
There has been tension in Obuasi following news of over 300 illegal miners have been trapped in a mine shaft belonging to multinational mining giant AngloGold.
The incident according to a Citinewsroom.com report occurred at AngloGoldâs Obuasi Mines at Anwiam in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region.
The miners are said to have entered the underground shaft in search of gold deposits but have been trapped because all exit routes were subsequently shut.
One of the illegal miners, Ali Tijani who spoke to Citi News said some of his colleagues are unconscious as they have run out of food and water, the Citi News report stated.
Relations of the trapped minister, including their wives, on Tuesday, besieged the site where the illegal miners were supposed trapped carrying for them to be rescued.
Meanwhile, the management of AngloGold has refuted claims that some persons have been trapped in a mine belonging to them.
In a statement dated Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and signed by the Managing Director, Eric Asubonteng, he explained that the claims cannot be true because the exit ramp from the mine remains open.
He added that in the case that anybody was trapped in their mine, they can exit on foot via the existing ramp, a report by graphic.com.gh said.
Eric Asubonten, however, explained that some seven illegal miners who were in their mines yesterday walked out on foot and are in the custody of the police.
Several properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed by furious youth in Obuasi on Tuesday, May 30, as they expressed their anger over the detention of a group of illegal miners.
The illegal miners were arrested for entering an underground concession belonging to AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.
The rampaging youth destroyed property mostly belonging to AngloGold including vehicles and billboards, to press home their demand for the release of their colleagues who had been arrested after exiting the shaft.
The illegal miners, numbering about 48, who were being held at the Central Police Station were later released.
But the irate youth continued to agitate for those underground to be allowed to go home without arrest.
Over 200 illegal miners on Monday, May 29 were believed to have been trapped in the northern areas of the mine where no active mining has been done for years.
News of the incident sparked widespread protest in the Obuasi township as people converged at the Obuasi East Assembly to implore authorities to intervene.
However, when the relevant authorities including security agencies went to the location, the miners refused to come out for fear of being arrested.
Following the arrest of those who came out, the rest decided to stay underground to avoid arrest, leading to the unfortunate destruction of property belonging to AngloGold.
Meanwhile, AngloGold Ashanti has provided an update on the incident in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.
The mining firm said the unauthorised persons purported to have been trapped could exit on foot via the existing ramp through the main access to the area.
âNo person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit from the mine remains opened,â the statement clarified.
It said any unauthorised person underground could leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security remained on standby.
âIntrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remain a significant dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorised mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas,â the statement concluded.
The police have arrested 48 out of about 300 illegal miners ‘trapped’ in the recent galamsey pit collapse atAngloGoldshaft in the Ashanti region.
These individuals were part of a group of 300 illegal miners who had entered the mine shaft in search of gold deposits but became trapped in one of the shafts.
The police and military were deployed at the main exit of the shaft and instructed the miners to come out voluntarily. Subsequently, they were arrested and taken to a nearby police station.
In response to the arrests, a gathering of youth and relatives of the miners assembled at the Obuasi East District Assembly, demanding the release of the detainees.
The tense situation led to some individuals expressing their frustration by damaging the windows of a vehicle used to transport the arrested miners to the police station.
A significant number of miners have chosen to remain underground out of fear of being arrested.
On Tuesday, AngloGold Ashanti refuted suggestions that the over 300illegal miners trapped in one of the companyâs mine shafts were confined and unable to exit.
In a statement from the mining firm, it was explained that the trapped miners have not been confined and can exit on foot via the existing ramp from the mine.
âUnauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, using the existing ramp through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way, and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.
âObuasi Gold Mineâs management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them.â
Pathologist Professor, Paul Opoku Sampene Ossei,has warned about the harmful impact of unlawful mining on unborn babies and pregnant women residing in mining communities across the country.
According to him, the exposure of expecting mothers to harmful toxins in the air, in water bodies and through the ingestion of foodstuff cultivated on contaminated lands has led to a rise in birth defects, stillbirths and maternal mortality in affected areas.
The pathologist who has been conducting a case study in affected areas said cognitive impairments are the least of worries in comparison to some mothers carrying dead fetuses to full term.
âNot only are these children born with cognitive impairments, some of them are born what we call stillbirth, where they die in their mothersâ uteruses or their motherâs uterus. And then some of them will also have to go through what we call spontaneous abortion.
âAnd then if theyâre lucky and they come unto this earth, some of them will have all manner of congenital anomalies such as those that Iâve shown⊠children with different limbs, limbs about four limbs, some of them having to have eyes that are situated in a funny area around the forehead.
âSome of them will have what we call polydactyl which means that their limbs will have â in fact when we talk about the digitals, the fingers will have maybe six here, six there, another six on the limbs making it 12:12 making it 24 digitals. And then some of them were born, not born, let me say, were delivered without genitals,â he said.
He said the cognitive impairments of the fetuses also leads to many half formed babies being born in the affected areas.
He explained that the cognitive impairment being suffered by the foestus means that some of them are out of synch with their mothersâ labour time and thus are either born without some body parts or in some cases born with extra body parts.
âSome of these things, what happens is that these children because of their development, they cannot synchronise with the motherâs time of labour so they will have different times because of their cognitive impairments they donât synchronise with their motherâs way of delivery so they cannot be born naturally what we call spontaneous vaginal delivery.
âSo most of the mothers, most of them are from the remotest parts of where these galamsey work is being done. So by the time theyâre brought to the hospital, theyâre already dead. So basically, when they die like this, their mothers are dead, it behoves on the hospital and the family members to make sure that these babies are retrieved from their motherâs uterus.â
He said should government fail to address the issue, these anomalies will become commonplace in those areas in the near future.
The government has strengthened the enforcement system by increasing the punishment for persons convicted for engaging in illegal mining activities, the Minister for Lands, and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has announced.
According to him, the âOperation Halt IIâ also continues to support the enforcement measures, and said all prosecutions pertaining to illegal mining activities were undertaken by the Office of the Attorney-General.
The Lands Minister said about 119 cases involving 727 accused persons were pending before the Courts for various offences relating to illegal mining in the Eastern, Western and Ashanti Regions.
He added that the figure excluded 187 people convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in the Eastern Region last year.
Mr Jinapor made the announcement at the opening of a two-day transformational dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining under the theme, âSustaining Environmental Security and Human Right in Small Scale Mining Operations in Ghana,â at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.
The programme, initiated by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on the issue and jointly make efforts towards a common direction.
It was attended by politicians, traditional leaders, students, members, and staff of the UENR, artisans and small-scale miners, civil society actors, representatives of large-scale mining companies and the media.
Mr Jinapor observed small-scale mining impacts a number of human rights, including the right to life, health, safe environment, water, property and development which needed to be addressed as a matter of high public interest.
He said Ghana was blessed with abundant mineral resources, which if managed properly could provide a strong base for the livelihoods of the people.
But improper management of the mineral resources through illegal mining was plaguing the country now, hence most environmentalists had been advocating that mining was just a destruction and must be stopped completely, Mr Jinapor stated.
He said mining must be done sustainably and responsibly to protect the natural environment and the rights of persons being affected by it, because that industry continues to be the bulwark of the national economy.
Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, the Vice-Chancellor of the UENR said the institution initiated the dialogue as a way of contributing to promote responsible mining to ensure industrial and associated environmental best practices for the countryâs sustainable development.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has affirmed the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, popularly known as âgalamseyâ.
He said the government was not against small-scale mining but rather irresponsible mining that destroyed the natural environment.
âOur efforts, which are necessary to clamp down on galamsey, have sometimes been interpreted to mean the government of President Akufo-Addo is against small-scale mining,â he said.
Mr Jinapor was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Transformational Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining organised by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Fiapre near Sunyani in the Bono Region yesterday.
He said it was rather the commitment of President Akufo-Addo to promote responsible small-scale mining, which was demonstrated in the reduction of withholding tax on unprocessed gold by small-scale miners, which was introduced in 2015, from three per cent to 1.5 per cent.
The dialogue organised on the theme: âSustaining Environmental Security and Human Rights in Small-Scale Mining Operation in Ghanaâ, is to create a unique platform to undertake in-depth discussions on one of the most pressing issues, not only in our country, but across the globe on the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.
It brought together representatives of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Association of Women in Mining in Africa and Ghana, the Regional House of Chiefs, Large-Scale Mining companies, students and civil society organisations, among others.
Under severe stress
Mr Jinapor said in recent years, the world’s natural resources had come under severe stress due to rapid population growth and urbanisation, increasing agriculture production and high demand for raw materials to meet the needs of the modern-day sophisticated lifestyle and climate change.
He explained that the demand for raw materials globally had doubled in the last 20 years, adding that the increasing demand for resources had also contributed to the climate crisis, thereby worsening the pressure on these resources, and causing a form of a vicious cycle between climate change and resources.
Mr Jinapor said governments across the world were changing measures to address the emerging changes and improve the sustainability of land and resources.
Economy
The minister said mining continued to be the backbone of the national economy, âbut for many years, small-scale mining remain illegal until it was formalised in 1989, through three sets of lawsâ.
He said since the formalisation, the small-scale mining sector had increasingly contributed to the national economy, reaching over 40 per cent in 2018.
âLast year, for example, the sector produced a total of 712, 405 ounces of gold; bringing in almost $1.2 billion in export receipts.
Today, all diamonds produced in the country are from small-scale mining, which in 2022 amounted to 82,251.99 carats,â he stated.
Mr Jinapor said apart from their contribution to the gold and diamond output, the sector was a source of employment to thousands of people and supported the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens.
He, however, expressed concern about the increasing illegalities associated with the sector, adding that their effect on the environment had, sadly, resulted in small-scale mining being associated with environmental destruction.
Greedy
Mr Jinapor said apart from greedy and unscrupulous nation wreckers who destroyed the environment due to their interests, the drivers of the illegalities in the small-scale mining sector included unemployment, the lack of blocked-out areas for small-scale mining, challenges with securing licences and other regulatory permits and the lack of law enforcement.
He said the government was implementing policies and measures aimed at addressing the drivers such as the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, alternative sources of income and livelihood to persons engaged in mining.
Mr Jinapor explained that the programme employed several youths in the production of seedlings and reclamation of degraded mined lands.
Out of poverty
For his part, the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, said the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) subsector had the potential to lift many rural people out of poverty if properly organised, controlled and monitored with a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
He said in Ghana, the ASGM subsector alone directly employed about one million people and indirectly supports about 4.5 million.
Prof. Asare-Bediako said UENR would continue to promote the development of human resources and skills required to solve critical energy and natural resources challenges of society and undertake interdisciplinary academic research and outreach programmes.
The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene, said the government was doing its best to resource institutions, particularly universities to fight galamsey.
She said the government was sensitive to some shortfalls and had prepared plans to resource universities in the country, particularly UENR to assume their rightful duty and be able to contribute everlasting and innovative ideas.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission says government has not failed in its efforts to curb the activities of illegal mining in the country, popularly known as galamsey, is not over.Â
Martin Kwaku Ayisi said the menace cannot be ended anytime soon.
Even though Mr Ayisi will not admit that the government has failed in ending the canker, he said he understands the anger expressed by the citizenry.
According to him, the activities of illegal mining in the country is a big problem that must be dealt with urgently.
âI will be the first just as my minister, to say that galamsey is not over. But I will not say we have failed. I can understand the outrage and anger being expressed by Ghanaians.
âWhen people switch on their televisions and see that waterbody that looks like apple juice or milo, that is their anger and I understand them,â he said on JoyNewsâ Newsfile on Saturday, May 6.
The issue of the galamsey canker has come to the front burner recently following the controversial report by the former chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
Prof Frimpong-Boateng cites persons in government who he accuses of frustrating his effort to fight galamsey when he was Environment Minister.
âThroughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the Presidentâs commitment to protecting the environment.
âI 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.
âI am not referring to party people who had their legitimate concession and were mining sustainably as they were instructed to do.
âThere are appointees in the Jubilee House that are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace,â excerpts of the document said.
While some of the persons he mentioned in the report have denied any wrongdoing, many in the public believe the galamsey fight is a lost cause.
Civil society organisation, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Administration (ASEPA) has called for investigations into the Operation Vanguard taskforce tasked to curb illegal mining in the country as well as the report about illegal mining (galamsey) authored by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.
An explosive report compiled by former Environment Minister, Prof Frimpong Boateng who was the chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) set up by President Akufo-Addo leaked into the public domain recently.
In the 2021 report to the President, Prof Boateng named senior government officials accused of active involvement in illegal mining locally called âgalamseyâ.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has announced that he is investigating the report that has already been given to Ghanaâs Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei Opare.
As Ghanaians begin to show interest in the Prof. Frimpong-Boatengâs report, the Executive Director for ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, wants the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe the matter with all seriousness.
Speaking on Power Midday news on Power 97.9 FM, Thompson alleged that Operation Vanguardâ the joint military and police force tasked to fight illegal miningâ was compromised at the time of its operations in the country.
He told Piesie Okrah on Power FM that there were issues raised against the taskforce when it was tasked to combat illegal mining.
âWe want the Special Prosecutor not to investigate Professor Frimpong-Boatengâs report but all issues linked to galamsey, including Operation Vanguard,â Thompson said.
He believes if the works of the IMCIM and Operation Vanguard are investigated, the lapses in the fight against galamsey will be exposed.
The Forestry Commission has disclosed that illegal mining activities known as ‘galamsey‘ are threatening 34 of the country’s 288 forest reserves.
This comes at a time governmentâs fight against the menace has been questioned following a report put together by the former chairman of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, accusing government officials of engaging in the menace.
The report by Prof. Frimpong-Baoteng raised concerns over permits given to mine in some forest reserves and buffers.
Speaking at a press conference on the state of Ghanaâs Forest Reserves, the CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey said the level of devastation in the affected reserves is dire.
â34 out of 288 reserves have been affected. These are areas we have significant illegal mining. The total area mapped is about 4,726.2 hectares. This is only the size of the surface, some of these impact is fully in whole. And they excavate lots of materials that will impact the forest. Itâs not only the size but the impact on our water bodies and the depth of the holes created. A lot more would have to be done to be able to reclaim the land,â he stated.
Reacting to Prof. Frimpong-Boatengâs report, Minister in Charge of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor says the governmentâs fight to clamp down on illegal mining activities should not be judged based on portions of the report.
âI found the work of the IMICM valuable, and I am working with my team to factor into the things we are doing today. There are things about the work I may not adopt today for many reasons because the terrain may have changed and so on and so forth. The report doesnât capture my stewardship till today. I have heard people say that the report shows that government has failed, that I have failed, the report didnât capture my tenure. The report cannot be sacrosanct, what is important is that we remain focused,â he said.
Some illegal miners in a viral video have pledged to unleash more damage on the environment should government keep up its fight against galamsey.
According to the illegal miners, the land belongs to them and the presidentcannot determine how they should use their lands.
In a video shared widely on the internet, a group of young men were working on a galamsey site while one of the workers bragged about how they would destroy the land in search of gold because it is theirs.
Directing the camera to the guys working, he said, â Have you seen all this land, it is money and for the lands, we would continue to destroy it. We own the lands and we have decided to degrade it, and Akufo-Addo who resides in the city says he would end gala, you lie bad.â
He was not alone in thought, his co-workers reechoed his words saying, âFor the lands, we shall continue to degrade it.â
The President was not the only person mocked by the galamseyers, unemployed youth in the country were not left out, according to these men captured in the video, it is only lazy people that would complain of lack of jobs and job opportunities and take to robbery.
The land is for us, we will continue to spoil it. Nana Addo cannot do anything – Galamsey operators
— Son Of A Woman đâđš (@blacctbwoy_) April 30, 2023
âStay home and complain of lack of job opportunities. Stay home and steal from others. As for us, we are working very hard to make money to become popular. Yes, a man must work very hard,â one of the galamseyers said.
The president has over the years assured Ghanaians of his commitment to end illegal mining and even legal mining that degrades the environment. He has also called on all Ghanaians irrespective of social status and authority to join in the fight against galamsey.
