Ghana’s Minister: Illegal Mining Fight Must Be Continuous, Not Time-Bound Campaign
Galamsey Requires Perpetual Vigilance, Says Government Spokesperson
Ghana’s battle against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, must be approached as a permanent responsibility rather than a campaign with deadlines, according to Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu. Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, April 8, the Minister outlined a significant shift in how the government views this environmental crisis that has devastated Ghana’s water resources and ecosystems.
“First of all, I’m not sure that a timeline is necessarily the conversation we should be having. I think it should be a lifelong activity,” Kwakye Ofosu stated, challenging the notion that illegal mining could be eliminated within a specific timeframe.
His comments come amid mounting public pressure for the government to deliver concrete results in combating illegal mining operations that have wreaked havoc on water bodies, farmlands, and forest reserves across the resource-rich West African nation.
Reality Check: Why Short-Term Campaigns Have Failed
The Minister’s candid assessment acknowledges what many environmental experts have long argued: that the impetus for illegal mining persists regardless of temporary enforcement surges. Previous administrations’ efforts to set ambitious deadlines for eliminating galamsey have consistently fallen short, undermining public confidence.
“It is unrealistic to assume that illegal mining activities will ever completely cease, given the persistent desire of individuals to defy the law for personal gain,” Kwakye Ofosu explained, pointing to the economic motivations that drive the practice.
Continuous Enforcement Instead of Deadline-Driven Approaches
Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the state has a permanent obligation to respond decisively whenever illegal mining activities emerge:
“Every time that somebody plans to do galamsey and actually starts doing it, it is the duty of the state to fight it,” he stressed, highlighting the need for perpetual vigilance rather than periodic crackdowns.
This perspective represents a potentially significant realignment in Ghana’s anti-galamsey strategy, moving away from high-profile but ultimately unsustainable “wars” against illegal mining toward sustained enforcement mechanisms.
Public Demands Action Over Rhetoric
The Minister acknowledged that Ghanaians are growing weary of unfulfilled promises and political rhetoric surrounding the galamsey issue. What citizens want, he suggested, is evidence of genuine commitment through consistent action.
“What matters is that people see a demonstrable commitment to fighting it—such that today, if you’re engaged in galamsey, or I am doing galamsey, we would be stopped by the government and action would be taken against us,” Kwakye Ofosu explained.
He cautioned against the practice of setting arbitrary deadlines: “I think that is what people want, rather than limiting yourself to say in two months, ‘I will stop galamsey.'”
Environmental Stakes Remain Critical
The stakes in this battle remain extraordinarily high. Ghana’s once-pristine rivers like the Ankobra, Pra, and Birim have been transformed into muddy, contaminated streams due to widespread illegal mining activities. Forest reserves continue to be encroached upon, and agricultural lands are being destroyed, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.
Environmental scientists have warned that without effective intervention, the damage to Ghana’s ecosystems could become irreversible, with long-term consequences for public health and economic development.
Sustainable Solutions Require Multi-Pronged Approach
Experts suggest that a sustainable approach to combating illegal mining must include:
- Consistent enforcement regardless of political cycles
- Alternative livelihood programs for affected communities
- Modern technology for monitoring remote areas
- International cooperation to address foreign involvement
- Legal reforms to increase penalties and close loopholes
“The fight against galamsey cannot be won through enforcement alone,” notes Dr. Emmanuel Tetteh of the Center for Environmental Policy and Advocacy. “We need comprehensive solutions that address the root causes while maintaining vigilant enforcement.”
What’s Next for Ghana’s Anti-Galamsey Efforts?
As the government recalibrates its approach to illegal mining, all eyes will be on whether this shift from deadline-driven campaigns to continuous enforcement translates into meaningful environmental recovery. The true test will be whether Ghana’s rivers begin to run clear again and forest reserves show signs of regeneration.
For communities affected by galamsey, the Minister’s comments signal a potential long-term commitment that could outlast political cycles—a necessity for addressing environmental challenges of this magnitude.