By all appearances, Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey,” has turned a new corner as recent developments bear witness to every well-meaning Ghanaian.
In a bold and resolute message to illegal miners and environmental offenders, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has declared unwavering government support for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in its recent intensified clampdown on illegal mining operations, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
The Minister stressed that the era of endless talk is over and that “action and outcomes” will now guide the country’s efforts to reclaim its degraded forests and water bodies.
“Once again, in the name of God and Ghana, leave the forest reserves and water bodies. Save your lives. Save the environment. The Ghana Armed Forces has been empowered. We have the needed political will.”
Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
His remarks follow an actionable series of operations carried out by the Ghana Armed Forces across multiple regions of the country in a renewed push against illegal gold mining that has devastated Ghana’s forest reserves and polluted major rivers.
In one of the most significant actions yet, a covert settlement known as Abrewa Ne Nkran, hidden within the forest in the Western Region and reportedly housing more than 10,000 illegal miners, was completely demolished.
The community, established by both Ghanaian and foreign nationals, had existed without official documentation or any basic public infrastructure—its sole purpose is tied to illegal mining in the area.
The demolition of Abrewa Ne Nkran has sent a strong message about the state’s resolve to dismantle entrenched networks of illegal mining.
According to the military, the settlement was not just a hub for illegal activity but also a threat to national environmental security.
GAF Anti-Galamsey Surgical Operations
As part of the broader offensive, the GAF also launched simultaneous anti-galamsey surgical operations across its three major commands, including the Northern Command, which targeted areas including Bole and the Black Volta Basin.
The Central Command operations focused on Nkawie and Mankranso Forest reserves, while under the Southern Command, strikes were made in the notorious Subri Forest Reserve and a galamsey base known as Jerusalem.
In these areas, troops seized multiple excavators and illegal mining equipment. Makeshift shelters and encampments deep within protected forests were also destroyed.
The scale of the operation reflects a heightened coordination between the military, intelligence agencies, and environmental authorities—a signal that the war against illegal mining is entering a more aggressive phase.
The renewed military campaign has drawn praise from civil society actors and media professionals who have long advocated for firm action.
Among them is award-winning investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, widely known for his extensive reportage on illegal mining and environmental degradation.
In a social media post, Donkor hailed the Armed Forces’ raid on the Subri Forest as a “much-needed show of strength.”
He wrote, “Ayekoo!! Ghana Armed Forces for your raid on the Galamsey hub in the Subri forest!! We need more!”
His remarks echo the sentiments of many environmentalists and concerned citizens who have grown weary of the cycle of promises and political half-measures that have defined Ghana’s fight against galamsey for over a decade.
The destruction of river bodies like the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, as well as the deforestation of protected reserves, has become a national emergency—one that threatens food security, biodiversity, and millions’ access to clean water.
Dr. Boamah’s assurance that the military now has the “needed political will” comes at a critical time.
Previous anti-galamsey operations, including Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt, yielded mixed results due to political interference, weak enforcement, and institutional corruption.
The Defence Minister’s words suggest a shift toward a more insulated and results-driven approach, with the military given a freer hand to dismantle illegal operations without fear or favour.
Environmental advocacy groups are now urging the government to complement the military’s actions with long-term policy interventions.
These include the repeal of LI 2462, the prosecution of arrested illegal miners, including foreign nationals and their financiers, community reforestation programs, alternative livelihood support for local residents, and a total audit of forest and mineral concessions.
With the military taking the lead, and growing public support from citizens and journalists alike, the tide may finally be turning in Ghana’s war against illegal mining.
Whether this momentum will translate into sustained change depends not just on action in the forests but on a firm commitment to justice and accountability at every level of governance.
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