Mr. Michael Adu Gyamfi, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Small-Scale Miners Association, has indicated that small-scale miners have consistently been neglected in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that the strength and expertise of the association are often undermined, making the country’s fight against illegal mining far more difficult.
According to him, small-scale miners have also been excluded from the land reclamation process. Instead, it has been entrusted to politicians who lack the technical knowledge to execute it effectively, resulting in a poorly managed process with minimal professional involvement.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi called on the government to reconsider its approach and actively involve small-scale miners, stressing that they are equally affected by the anti-galamsey measures since their livelihoods depend on the sector. He further noted that the licensing regime for small-scale mining remains overly bureaucratic, urging authorities to streamline the process.
While acknowledging that the government’s intentions to tackle the menace are good, he argued that current efforts remain ineffective.
“I can confidently state that there are several measures in place to fight illegal mining, but we have not seen anything significant. Those tasked with the fight against illegal mining have been compromised. They accept bribes, and so the fight has not succeeded.”
He proposed that the government hand over full control of the anti-galamsey effort to the Minerals Commission without political interference. He reiterated that many individuals currently tasked with tackling illegal mining have been compromised, rendering operations ineffective.
Furthermore, Mr. Adu Gyamfi highlighted a severe lack of coordination in the national response, pointing out that even the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Ghana Police Service is being deployed to illegal mining sites. He also alleged that politicians are actively interfering in the operations.
His comments come one year after the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of eight people, including the then Ministers for Defence and Environment. The victims were traveling to an event in Obuasi aimed at addressing the illegal mining menace and its devastating impact on the country’s natural resources.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana