Security Analyst Dr Ishmael Norman has proposed a shoot-to-kill approach as a possible measure to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

His remarks come amid growing concerns about the environmental destruction caused by the activity. A recent survey by the Forestry Commission shows that illegal mining has devastated nearly 9,000 hectares of Ghana’s forest reserves, with more than 5,200 hectares lost within the last three years.

According to the Commission, the area of forest reserves affected by illegal mining increased by 5,252.9 hectares between 2021 and 2024. This has pushed the total land impacted to 8,923.8 hectares as of December 31, 2024.

Dr Norman noted that many of the young people directly involved in illegal mining operations may not have the power to halt the practice, suggesting that influential individuals are often behind the activities.

In an interview with Sammi Wiafe on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on March 7, 2026, he urged authorities to treat illegal mining as a major national security concern.

He also raised alarm about the severe environmental consequences of the practice, particularly the pollution of rivers and other water bodies.

“The only approach that is missing is shoot-to-kill. When there are so many political figures behind the scenes driving this whole architecture, the people that we’re arresting don’t have the power to stop anything.Political analysis reports

If it’s a war, let’s shoot to kill; if it’s a fight, then let’s go into the boxing ring. I believe that it’s a war. I was so concerned about the poisoning of water bodies,” he said.