The government’s concerted effort to combat illegal mining (galamsey) has yielded significant results – 258 suspects arrested and thousands of equipment seized – yet the prosecution of those apprehended remains a primary concern for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stated on Thursday, August 13th, during a policy engagement with the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education in Accra. Mr. Buah emphasized that the effectiveness of the anti-galamsey campaign cannot be solely measured by arrests, stressing the importance of ensuring thorough legal proceedings conclude for all cases.
He explained that the challenge isn’t simply about arresting suspects, but rather the thorough prosecution of those arrested, a process he described as ‘the challenge is not the arrest, but the prosecution’ – a sentiment echoed throughout the discussion. The Minister highlighted that the Ministry’s enforcement figures show 200 excavators had been seized and 34 immobilised by July 2026, alongside 1,469 pumping machines, 950 changfan machines, 48 tricycles, 285 motorbikes, and 82 gold detectors, representing a substantial amount of equipment lost to illegal activities. The ministry’s data does not provide a detailed breakdown of the number of suspects prosecuted or convicted, leaving the precise extent of legal action unclear.
Mr. Buah revealed that the Ministry is working closely with the Attorney-General’s Department to address the difficulties associated with prosecuting these cases, acknowledging that past assessments had underestimated the damage caused by illegal mining. The Ministry’s enforcement figures show that 8,900 hectares of forest reserves have been degraded, with the authorities struggling to access remote areas due to ongoing illegal mining operations, including reports of weapons and violence.
Furthermore, the Minister underscored the government’s efforts to disrupt the supply chain supporting illegal mining, including the introduction of tighter controls on imported and deployed excavators. The government has established a presence at ports to facilitate compliance with a new documentation and clearance regime, requiring importers to provide information on the importer, intended end user, and location of each excavator, ensuring traceability.
As part of this effort, the government has deployed approximately 2,000 Blue Water Guards to provide community-based intelligence and support first-response efforts around affected water bodies. However, the Minister acknowledged concerns about discipline within the initiative, with allegations surfacing regarding bribery within the security force. He maintained that the programme had nevertheless provided valuable support to enforcement efforts.
The Ministry’s proposed reforms include reducing the maximum initial duration of large-scale mining leases from 30 years to 20 years, and stricter requirements for exploration and prospecting licences holders to demonstrate meaningful activity. These changes are intended to encourage more sustainable mining practices and reduce the risk of further illegal activities. The Minister criticized situations where companies retain mining concessions for extended periods without significant exploration or development, highlighting a significant challenge to the government’s efforts to effectively combat galamsey.
In addition, the Minister stressed the importance of disrupting the supply chain supporting illegal mining, with the government seeking to create district mining committees to give communities a greater role in mining-related decisions. These committees would consider the potential impact of proposed mining operations on water bodies, farms, and settlements before licences are approved. The government is also seeking to establish stricter requirements for holders of exploration and prospecting licences to demonstrate meaningful activity within specified periods.
The government’s focus is shifting to the prosecution of offenders, and the success of this campaign will determine whether the current enforcement efforts are sufficiently effective to deter further illegal mining. Ghanaian evacuee from South Africa dies shortly after arrival, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The document also detailed the seizing of 1,724 changfans, many of which were locally fabricated before being transported to mining areas and water bodies, raising concerns about the role of local manufacturers, suppliers, and financiers in sustaining illegal mining operations. The government has also deployed about 2,000 Blue Water Guards to provide community-based intelligence and support, but the Minister acknowledged concerns over discipline within the initiative, including allegations of bribery.”
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Source: Adom Online
