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 […]
President John Mahama has declared the widespread environmental devastation caused by illegal mining a national emergency, promising urgent action to confront the deepening crisis. Addressing a durbar during his ‘Thank You Tour’ of the Western North Region on Tuesday, July 15, he expressed grave concern over the extent of destruction in Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi […]
Environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor, has made allegations regarding the military’s involvement in shielding an illegal mining operation deep within the Anwiaso East Forest Reserve in the Western North region. Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews on Wednesday, 19 June, Mr Donkor disclosed that the investigative team has been monitoring the illegal operation for months, […]
JoyNews has learned that a group of security operatives, who identified themselves as members of the National Security, allegedly attempted to remove five heavy-duty excavators from the office yard of the Ashanti Regional Forestry Commission. According to JoyNews‘ environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkoh, who has been closely covering the issue of illegal mining (galamsey) in the country, […]
Rev. Charles Owusu, the former Head of Monitoring at the Forestry Commission, has called for a radical shift in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. He argued that the ongoing struggle cannot be won through rhetoric, political interference, or isolated crackdowns. Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme on Tuesday, April 22, Rev. Owusu […]
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has directed the immediate revocation of all mining licenses held by Akonta Mining Company Limited. This follows serious allegations of illegal mining activities (galamsey) and regulatory breaches by the mining company. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, April 21, the Minister disclosed that […]
