President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged that the fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, remains a complex and deeply rooted challenge, citing political connections, community resistance, and economic pressures as key obstacles.
Speaking during a meeting with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, the President said the scale of the problem makes it difficult to eradicate quickly, but stressed that the government must remain committed to the fight.
According to him, illegal mining activities are sustained by networks that cut across political parties, traditional authorities, and local actors. He noted that operators often shift allegiances whenever there is a change in government, allowing the practice to persist.
“Illegal mining has eaten into the fabric of our society,” he said, adding that the involvement of various stakeholders, including some political actors and traditional leaders, complicates enforcement efforts.
President Mahama further admitted that anti-galamsey operations frequently face resistance at the community level. He highlighted challenges confronting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), explaining that task forces are sometimes opposed by chiefs, youth groups, and residents in affected areas.
He also linked the rise in illegal mining to difficulties within Ghana’s cocoa sector. Low producer prices, he noted, have pushed some farmers to abandon cocoa farming in favour of gold mining.
To address this, the government is introducing a new pricing mechanism aimed at ensuring cocoa farmers receive up to 70 per cent of global market prices, a move expected to discourage the shift to illegal mining.
In addition, the President pointed to logistical constraints, particularly the lack of patrol boats needed to effectively monitor rivers and forest reserves over extended periods. He disclosed that the government is working with the Ministries of Finance, Defence, and Interior to secure the necessary resources and equipment.
Despite the challenges, President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain the fight against illegal mining and protect the country’s natural resources.
