Tackle galamsey within your ranks – Group tells Mahama
The National Coalition on Mining (NCOM) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to show strong political will in addressing the deep-rooted problem of galamsey.
The group is urging the President to take firm action against individuals within his government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are allegedly involved in or benefiting from the practice.
In a statement issued after President Mahama’s recent meeting with civil society organisations at the Jubilee House, NCOM stressed that any serious attempt to end galamsey must begin with confronting the political and business interests behind it.
The coalition warned that without decisive action against such powerful figures, anti-galamsey efforts will continue to fail.
“The key political question is this: Will President Mahama have the courage to act against people within his own government and party who are known or suspected to be involved in illegal mining? That will ultimately determine whether the fight against galamsey succeeds or fails,” the statement read.
While welcoming the President’s renewed commitment to tackling illegal mining, NCOM emphasised that galamsey is a complex national issue that cannot be solved through military crackdowns or short-term actions alone.
The coalition said the problem is rooted in broader governance failures, widespread poverty, and systemic corruption.
NCOM called on the government to develop a comprehensive and long-term strategy that addresses the underlying social, economic, and institutional causes of illegal mining.
This, the group said, should include investments in rural development, job creation, and reforms in the small-scale mining sector.
The coalition also stressed the need for stronger partnerships between government, civil society, and local communities to ensure a more sustainable and inclusive approach to ending galamsey.
According to NCOM, past efforts such as Operation Flush Out, Operation Vanguard, and Operation Halt have not delivered lasting results.
Instead, they have often led to human rights violations and disruptions to local economies.
The group concluded by saying that Ghana’s ability to end illegal mining will depend not only on good policies and enforcement but also on the integrity and determination of the country’s leadership to confront those who profit from environmental destruction.
“The government must invest in a well-planned, long-term, and transparent anti-galamsey programme that includes all stakeholders from national to local levels,” the statement added.