President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, describing their activities as a grave threat to Ghana's economy, environment, and national development.
He emphasized that the government will take decisive action to halt the menace of galamsey (illegal mining), which has wreaked havoc across the country's mining regions.
Speaking through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, at the inauguration of the Association of China-Ghana Mining (ACGM) in Accra, President Mahama labeled illegal mining as "environmental terrorism," underscoring the severity of its impact. "We consider illegal mining as an act of economic sabotage - one that devastates livelihoods, poisons our water-bodies and degrades our lands," he stated firmly. "There will be no leniency, no exception, and no comfort for those who flout the country's laws, regardless of nationality, political ties, or business clout," he added. "The full force of our laws will be brought to bear." President Mahama called on the newly formed Association to ensure its members operate responsibly and within the confines of Ghana's legal framework. "The Association must serve as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that its members operate within the set legal frameworks of our country, uphold environmental standards, uplift local communities and contribute positively to our nation's sustainable development agenda," he said.
He reiterated government's commitment to deepening collaboration with ACGM to better regulate and channel Chinese investment into productive, legal, and environmentally sound mining operations. "Through structured cooperation, we can unlock new opportunities while ensuring that mining activities align with Ghana's broader developmental and sustainability goals." Mahama also highlighted China's advanced capabilities in underground mining, low-grade ore processing, and technical training as valuable tools Ghana could leverage to modernize and strengthen its mining sector. "By integrating these advancements, we can build a mining sector that is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable," he noted.
