President John Mahama has declared illegal mining locally known as galamsey a national emergency, citing widespread environmental destruction across key forest reserves and water bodies.
Speaking during a durbar on Tuesday as part of his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Western North Region, Mr Mahama expressed deep concern over what he described as alarming levels of degradation in areas such as Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso.
“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency,” the president told attendees.
Mr Mahama said the government’s national taskforce would intensify its operations to halt illegal mining, particularly in protected forest reserves and along river bodies.
But he also took aim at individuals allegedly using the fight against galamsey as cover for extortion.
“I have also noticed the activities of illegal anti-galamsey taskforces that go around extorting money from legitimate small-scale mining companies,” Mr Mahama said.
He called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of any individuals or groups found to be involved in such operations.
Illegal mining has long posed serious environmental and social challenges in Ghana, damaging ecosystems and contaminating water sources. Successive governments have pledged to address the issue, but enforcement has remained a persistent challenge.
