President John Dramani Mahama has instructed Ghana’s task force combating illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, to seize excavators used in illicit mining operations rather than destroy them a departure from the approach of his predecessor.
The new directive, announced following a meeting with the Christian Council at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 21, reflects Mahama’s aim to adopt a more methodical and sustainable strategy to address the pervasive issue of illegal mining in the country.
“I’ve told them not to burn the excavators. They should confiscate them,” President Mahama said, signalling a shift toward more structured enforcement.
While acknowledging the critical role small-scale mining plays in the livelihoods of many Ghanaians, with approximately 1.8 million individuals engaged in the sector, Mr Mahama emphasised the need for responsible mining practices to mitigate the severe environmental damage caused by illegal operations.
The economic benefits of galamsey, however, come at a steep cost. Mahama revealed that 43 of Ghana’s 280 forest reserves have been severely degraded due to illegal mining.
In response, the government has ramped up efforts to restore these damaged areas, including recent operations in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, which resulted in the confiscation of mining equipment and excavators.
The president’s approach marks a pivot from the previous administration, which faced significant criticism for destroying excavators as part of its anti-galamsey efforts.
