Illegal small-scale gold mining, commonly referred to as galamsey in Ghana, has emerged as a pressing issue that undermines the country’s environment, economy and social fabric. Once regarded as a survival strategy for rural youth, galamsey has transformed into a vast, militarised enterprise deeply intertwined with political power. This has led to dire consequences, including […]
Specialised financial courts will soon be established to deal with infractions in the Auditor-General’s reports, the illegal mining (galamsey) menace and other environment-related crimes, President John Dramani Mahama has said. President Mahama said this at the end of a meeting with the Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr […]
Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, has called for the immediate revocation of mining licenses held by politically exposed individuals involved in galamsey operations. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 13, Dr Otoo revealed that some politically connected figures from both the governing and opposition parties are […]
The once-proud Bonsawere railway line, a relic of the country’s colonial-era transport network, now lies in a sorrowful state. Known as the Western Railway Corridor in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, it’s tracks are now rusted, buried under heaps of sand and gravel from years of illegal mining activities, galamsey. Sections of the line have caved in, […]
A devastating mining pit collapse at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region has claimed at least five lives, leaving several others injured. The incident occurred on October 1, 2025, at about 4:30 p.m., when an abandoned mining pit caved in, trapping between 16 and 20 people engaged in illegal mining operations. […]
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama to immediately declare a state of emergency in areas ravaged by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. In a strongly worded pastoral message, the bishops warned that galamsey “ravages our rivers and forests, poisons our soil, endangers public health, corrupts governance, erodes our moral […]
The Convenor of FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has announced that the movement will hold a vigil on Sunday, September 21, at Revolution Square in Accra, to protest the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining (galamsey). He disclosed the plan in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, 15 September 2025, stressing the urgent need […]
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has rejected calls for a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining. He warns that such a move could plunge Ghana into chaos and erode democratic rule. Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Nketiah admitted that galamsey remains […]
The police anti-galamsey task force has intensified operations in the illegal mining areas, making several arrests in the Ashanti and Western regions in separate exercises over the weekend. The Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force based at Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region, last Saturday extended its daily operations to Juaso, a suburb of the Asante Akim […]
The Inspector-General of Police’s Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce has seized seven excavators in a series of operations targeting illegal mining activities, galamsey, in Ahwiren, a small community in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The operation was launched at the request of the Chief of Ahwiren, Nana Osei Boateng, following reports that miners allegedly backed […]
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has paid tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, highlighting his unwavering determination to confront Ghana’s illegal mining menace head-on. Speaking on Channel One TV on Monday, 11 August, Mr Ablakwa described Dr Omane Boamah as a visionary leader whose resolve and integrity could have transformed […]
Over fifteen armed men claiming to be national security operatives stormed the Bekwai District office of the Forestry Commission in the Ashanti region, locking up the premises and preventing staff from carrying out their duties. The men, wielding pump-action guns and other implements, reportedly threatened the on-site security personnel, forcibly drove out the staff, and […]
