Galamsey Coalition demands mass action

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has called on all citizens who have the country at heart to get prepared to join an impending mass action to exert pressure on the government to take bold action against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

The coalition stressed that the lethargic approach by persons in position of authority to deal decisively with the menace could no longer be countenanced, and Ghanaians who really believed in the progress of the country must rise up and be counted in the fight to save the environment.

At a press conference addressed by leaders of the GCAG, including the Convener of the group, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey; a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo; the Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu; and anti-galamsey campaigner, Senyo Hosi, the coalition stressed that the galamsey scourge had reached the crescendo and the best way out was for Ghanaians to "pour on to the street to fight for their future."

"Definitely, what we need now is mass action to break the criminal gang in the galamsey enterprise who have captured the state," Mr Hosi stressed. 
Bold action

While acknowledging the steps that had been taken by the government to deal with galamsey, Dr Ashigbey stressed that the time had come for the government to demonstrate its willingness to reset the mining sector by ruthlessly dealing with all persons behind the menace, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Again, he stressed that the President, John Dramani Mahama, must demonstrate his commitment to protecting the environment by ensuring that immediate steps were taken to revoke the legislation instrument on mining in forest reserves (L.I 2462).

He said it was disappointing that although the President and other government officials promised that the process to revoke the LI 2462 would begin immediately Parliament resumes, no concrete steps had been taken yet in that regard.

“To the best of our knowledge and belief, there is no order of business of Parliament capturing this critical item. In our considered view, this demonstrates a lack of commitment by the government to carry the revocation through and is a clear indication that the government is deliberately playing games with citizens on this matter,” he said.

Dr Ashigbey stressed that the GCAG would not accept an amendment that responded to the interests of certain individuals without taking into account the interests of the country. 

State of emergency

Again, he reiterated calls on the President to declare a State of Emergency in the required galamsey areas with immediate effect to save the environment from further destruction.

“The recent near-fatal attack on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr Hannah Louisa Bissiw following an illegal mining raid at Bui Sobinso, as reported widely in the media on June 5, 2025, by armed thugs, is not an isolated incident.

“It is a symptom of a lawless epidemic within the mining zones. gun-wielding gangs now operate with terrifying boldness, and if this government does not act decisively, no one is safe,” he stressed.

The GCAG convener commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his team for stepping up efforts to combat illegal mining.

However, he called for immediate and transparent investigation, interdiction and prosecution of all complicit officers from the district to regional commands.

He also demanded public disclosure of all police transfers from galamsey zones as promised by the IGP and the Interior Ministry.

Prosecution

The GCAG convener further called for the prosecution of all politically exposed persons who were directly or indirectly engaged in or fuelling galamsey.

While commending the government on the steps taken to arrest a director of Akonta Mining Ltd, Bernard Antwi Bioisako, after the Coalition’s press release, he said more needed to be done in terms of dealing with other directors of the company.

“We have, however, observed and condemn resoundingly the alarming pattern of some officials from the ruling NDC being involved in illegal mining.

We demand immediate investigation into the case of the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Larbi and two chairpersons by the Police and National Security, ensuring complete transparency and no room for political protection,” he said.

For her part Prof Ampofo said GAAS had already submitted a petition to the President demanding the revocation of L.I 2462, declaration of state of emergency, and outright ban on mining in all forest reserves.