Government officials found to be involved in illegal mining—known locally as galamsey—will be immediately dismissed and prosecuted, the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has said.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Thursday, 8 May 2025, Ofosu Kwakye said the current administration is taking a firm stand against illegal mining and warned that no one, including presidential appointees, would be spared if found guilty.
“Even legal mining is not allowed for appointees, let alone illegal mining,” he stressed.
He said illegal mining thrived under the previous administration largely due to direct government involvement and abuse of power. To address this, the current government revoked all new mining licences shortly after assuming office and has refused to issue new ones unless they undergo a thorough review.
Mr Ofosu Kwakye also outlined proposed reforms to mining legislation. He cited Legislative Instrument 2462, which grants presidents the authority to approve mining rights in forest reserves—a provision he said had been misused. The government is planning to amend both L.I. 2462 and the Minerals and Mining Act to introduce a complete ban on mining in forest reserves.
He described galamsey as a form of environmental terrorism, warning that those involved are endangering the country’s future.
To strengthen enforcement, he said, monitoring teams have been deployed along water bodies to detect and report illegal activity swiftly. Since taking office, the government has arrested 71 individuals and seized more than 150 mining machines and weapons.
In addition, the government has launched a reforestation initiative, Trees for Life, aimed at restoring lands destroyed by illegal mining. While acknowledging that progress would take time, Mr Ofosu Kwakye noted that there were already signs of improvement.
“The President has made it clear—no one is above the law. Whether you are a family member or a high-ranking official, you will be held accountable if you engage in galamsey,” he concluded.
