Reshuffle police commanders in galamsey hotspots – Ken Ashigbey to IGP

The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ken Ashigbey, has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to immediately transfer all police commanders stationed in illegal mining hotspots. 

He argues that their continued presence has either enabled the practice or exposed their inability to tackle it effectively.

His call comes as the IGP intensifies the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which he describes as a serious national security and environmental threat.

Addressing the Regional Police Commanders’ Conference, COP Yohuno highlighted the growing violence linked to galamsey operations, particularly in Ghana’s Western North region. He revealed that armed criminals associated with illegal mining have launched violent attacks on civilians, including forest guards, with impunity.

“This lawlessness must not be allowed to continue,” the IGP asserted, urging regional commanders to take decisive action. “We are declaring war on illegal mining, and I expect every regional commander to enforce the law and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, March 22, Ken Ashigbey reinforced the need for systemic change, calling for the immediate transfer of all divisional, district, and station commanders in galamsey-prone areas. He alleged that illegal mining continues unabated under their watch, with some officers benefiting financially from the illicit trade.

“Some of these officers have become extremely wealthy. If they are not benefiting from galamsey, then they are simply incompetent. Either way, they must be transferred,” he stated.

Ashigbey cited Anyinam in the Eastern Region as an example, questioning why officers stationed there remain at post while illegal mining thrives just metres from the police station. He further alleged that some officers have been found in possession of illegal mining equipment in their homes.

Beyond transfers, he called for stricter measures, including legal prosecution and reassignment of guilty officers to non-mining areas.

Stronger political commitment

Backing Ashigbey’s call, legal practitioner and anti-corruption advocate Martin Kpebu underscored the need for both police reshuffling and stronger political commitment to the fight against galamsey.

Speaking on the same programme, Kpebu argued that entrenched corruption within security agencies and political circles must be addressed for any meaningful progress.

He said merely transferring commanders without a full-scale institutional cleanup would be ineffective. “If you only transfer the commanders and leave the officers who enable galamsey, then you haven’t done much,” he noted. “The new commander may sit in the office while the same officers continue aiding illegal mining. The system itself must be thoroughly cleaned.”

Kpebu also accused political actors from both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of benefiting from galamsey, asserting that illegal mining networks have political backers.

“In one part of town, you find NDC-affiliated galamsey operators, and in another, you find those linked to the NPP,” he alleged, stressing that without bipartisan commitment to ending the practice, reforms will remain superficial.

High-profile prosecutions needed

A key aspect of Kpebu’s argument was the need to prosecute high-profile individuals involved in galamsey. He suggested that targeting key financiers and influential figures within the illicit trade would serve as a deterrent.

“Imagine if a regional chairman of the NPP is taken to court. The chilling effect it will have on others cannot be overstated,” he said, arguing that Ghana’s enforcement agencies must make an example of powerful figures involved in the practice.

He pointed to the concept of beneficial ownership, which requires companies to disclose their true owners, as a tool that could be leveraged to trace illegal mining profits. However, he acknowledged that many key players exploit loopholes to evade accountability.

“We have laws that mandate disclosure, but in practice, people find ways to dodge them. Still, if we can trace illegal excavators to individuals, those persons must be held responsible,” he insisted.

Media oversight in anti-galamsey efforts

Kpebu further proposed embedding journalists in government anti-galamsey task forces to enhance transparency. He argued that independent media oversight would ensure greater accountability in land reclamation efforts and law enforcement actions.

“If journalists are part of these operations, they can provide real-time updates and evidence, preventing government officials from making unverified claims,” he suggested.

Kpebu stressed that Ghana does not lack solutions to the galamsey crisis. Instead, he said, the real challenge is the political will to implement existing policies effectively.

“The government has taken some steps, but without sustained commitment, the fight against galamsey will remain an illusion. We must keep pushing the politicians to act decisively,” he urged.