President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to end the destructive practice of illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, pledging decisive measures to protect Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
Speaking at his Presidential Media Encounter, the President emphasized that the scourge of galamsey is receiving the highest level of national attention and will remain a central priority of his government.
According to President Mahama, the government has deployed a dedicated national task force, backed by the security agencies, to combat illegal mining activities across the country. These operations, he noted, have disrupted entrenched networks that for years exploited Ghana’s lands and rivers with impunity.
“As a result of their operations, hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other heavy equipment have been seized, disrupting the networks that have long exploited our lands and our rivers”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President further disclosed that government’s efforts go beyond enforcement, with initiatives to restore and reclaim degraded lands.
He announced that nine forest reserves, which were previously in the grip of illegal miners, have been successfully recovered and placed back under state protection. Complementing this effort is the Tree for Life initiative, which is being rolled out nationwide to restore lands destroyed by illegal mining.
President Mahama underscored his administration’s strong policy stance on protecting forest reserves, revealing that since resuming office, not a single license has been issued to any company to mine within these critical ecosystems.
“Steps are currently underway to repeal LI 2462 to formalize our commitment to end mining in forest reserves. Let me be clear, since my administration resumed office, not a single license has been issued to any company to mine in our forest reserves.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Coordinated National Effort
To strengthen coordination in the national fight, the President announced the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), serving as the central command hub for anti-galamsey operations.
Through NAIMOS, he said, a coordinated effort involving all security agencies and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has yielded significant results: 440 excavators seized, over 1,400 arrests made, more than 300 chamfang machines destroyed, and 900 water pumps confiscated and repurposed for agricultural irrigation.
President Mahama, however, admitted that despite progress, challenges remain. He revealed that some forest reserves, including Jemira Forest Reserve and the Anriyafutu section of the Offin shelterbelts, were recently re-invaded by illegal miners after being handed back to the Forestry Commission.
In response, the military has joined forces with NAIMOS to repossess these reserves and establish a permanent presence to deter future incursions.
To bolster manpower on the frontlines, 90 personnel have already been recruited, trained, and deployed in the Western and Savannah regions to monitor major river bodies and serve as community vanguards.
The President announced that an additional 1,020 personnel will be recruited by the end of the year, bringing the total number of “blue water guards” to 2,000. These forces, he said, will play a central role in preventing further environmental degradation while supporting communities.
“The next phase will focus on dechemicalizing and restoring our water bodies to their pristine state. Feasibility studies for these critical restoration efforts are currently underway”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Comprehensive Monitoring and Tracking System
Another major step in the government’s strategy is the introduction of a comprehensive monitoring and tracking system for heavy mining equipment.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division, and the Ports and Harbors Authority, the President indicated that a new framework has been put in place to track excavators and earth-moving machinery right from the ports of entry.
“So far, we’ve registered 1,015 earth-moving and mining equipment, with 647 already fitted with tracking devices,” the President disclosed. He added that an additional 350 tracking devices are expected to arrive by September 12, 2025, to enhance this monitoring system.
President Mahama emphasized that the measures taken are designed not only to stop illegal mining but also to address the systemic drivers of the problem by cutting off supply chains, dismantling criminal networks, and reclaiming destroyed environments.
He stressed that this fight is not only about law enforcement but also about securing Ghana’s ecological future for generations to come.
“My fellow citizens, our resolve to end the scourge of galamsey has not wavered. We are reclaiming our forest reserves, protecting our water bodies, restoring our lands, and ensuring that our natural resources are safeguarded for posterity”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President’s assurances come at a time when concerns about illegal mining’s impact on Ghana’s environment have intensified, with rivers heavily polluted, farmlands destroyed, and forest reserves encroached upon by armed groups.
His administration’s multi-pronged approach—combining enforcement, restoration, monitoring, and legislation—signals an effort to tackle the menace from all angles. President Mahama concluded with a call for collective responsibility, urging all Ghanaians to support the national effort.
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