• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
  • Login
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
No Result
View All Result

EPA Warns Galamsey Crisis Fueled by Local Networks

Lilian Ahedorby Lilian Ahedor
September 16, 2025
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Lilian Ahedorby Lilian Ahedor
in General News
0
focus on galamsey and illegal mining

Galamseyers

The ongoing fight against galamsey, or illegal mining, faces an even greater challenge as communities and powerful local networks continue to drive the practice, according to Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo, Deputy CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Prof. Ayamga-Adongo emphasized that illegal mining has evolved from an individual crime into a deeply rooted community activity that now poses one of Ghana’s most complex environmental and social problems.

He noted that illegal mining is already recognized as a serious crime under Ghanaian law, and anyone caught engaging in the practice will face “the full rigors of the law.” 

RelatedPosts

IMANI Warns of Poultry Waste Risk Without Processing Plan Under Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme

IMANI Challenges Minister’s Claim of ‘Increased Value Offer’ in DStv Deal

Misunderstanding “Expertise” in Ghana’s Public Policy Debates

However, he explained that over the years, societal perceptions have shifted, with some rural communities now viewing galamsey as a legitimate source of livelihood.

“When you go in there to engage, they tell you if you allow white people to come and mine, why shouldn’t they be the legal owners of the land mine gold? So this is a psyche that has unfortunately sunk down in the various communities.”

Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo
Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo on galamsey
Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo

This mindset, Prof. Ayamga-Adongo warned, has made the fight against galamsey even more difficult.

“The community resistance that we had at the beginning of the whole galamsey fight has disappeared,” he lamented, adding that this decline in opposition from local populations has weakened enforcement efforts.

Local Power Structures Driving Illegal Mining

While foreign nationals have often been blamed for illegal mining, Prof. Ayamga-Adongo clarified that the primary drivers are now Ghanaians, particularly young people who see galamsey as a fast way to earn money. 

Behind them, he said, are influential figures with deep pockets and extensive networks. “There is a lot of power engaged in illegal mining, and they are not just politicians,” he explained. 

These networks include traditional leaders, local authorities, and even respected professionals who outwardly speak about politics while secretly benefiting from illegal mining operations.

Prof. Ayamga-Adongo acknowledged that some have suggested declaring a state of emergency in the most affected areas. 

However, he believes that the window of opportunity has passed. Deploying the military with shoot-to-kill orders, he warned, would lead to catastrophic consequences.

“Is it an option to send the military in there with the order to shoot to kill people in the thousands?” he asked, stressing that galamsey operators are heavily armed and would engage in a deadly cat-and-mouse game with security forces.

gov't steps up illegal mining fight and galamsey
MINING IN FOREST RESERVES

According to Prof. Ayamga-Adongo, the key to ending galamsey lies in cutting off its financial lifeline.

“We need to slowly but consistently tighten the money that flows into it and make sure that access to the equipment is where the damage is coming from.” 

Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo

A major part of this strategy, he suggested, would involve stricter monitoring of gold exports. By creating a system to differentiate “clean gold” from what he described as “dirty gold” mined illegally, authorities can disrupt the flow of funds back into galamsey operations. 

If profits are reduced, illegal mining activities will become harder to sustain.

The movement of heavy equipment, such as excavators, must also be strictly controlled. 

Prof. Ayamga-Adongo observed that ongoing government efforts in this area, though slow, are beginning to show results and should eventually make it more difficult for illegal miners to operate at scale.

Unemployment Fuels the Galamsey Crisis

Prof. Ayamga-Adongo highlighted unemployment as a major factor driving young people into illegal mining. Over the years, limited job opportunities have left many with no viable alternatives.

He described how many of those engaged in galamsey are armed, involved in drug abuse, and ready to unleash violence if threatened. This, he warned, makes it impossible to simply push them out of the sector through force alone.

To address this, he urged the government to invest in retraining programs and create alternative livelihoods. Without this, the problem will persist, as desperate individuals will continue to see galamsey as their only option.

Military fights galamsey crisis
Military fights galamsey crisis

He also revealed that while foreign players such as Chinese nationals have taken a step back, they now operate behind the scenes, pushing local Ghanaians into the frontline. “The fight now is about Ghanaians against their own people in their own communities, not like foreigners.” 

Prof. Ayamga-Adongo expressed frustration that some groups and individuals are using the galamsey issue as a political tool. 

He explained that certain actors deliberately frame the government’s struggles against illegal mining as weakness, using it to raise funds or gain political advantage.

“I know some people engage in galamsey advocacy because the thing is a political tool. Others do it for political gain. They want to make the government look weak.”

Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo

He concluded by emphasizing the need to “follow the money trail.” By cutting off the funds that sustain illegal mining, Ghana can begin to regain control over its natural resources and protect communities from the devastating environmental and social impacts of galamsey.

READ ALSO: Ghana Records $6.2B Trade Surplus on Gold, Cocoa 

Tags: EPAGalamseygold exportsIllegal miningUnemployment
Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

Brako-Powers Dismisses Claims of GBA Partisan Bias

Next Post

South Africa Grants Oil Majors Long-Term Lease Access

[mc4wp_form id="1264"]

Related Posts

Government to Roll Out ‘Nkukor Nkitinkiti’ Programme in October
General News

IMANI Warns of Poultry Waste Risk Without Processing Plan Under Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme

October 7, 2025
International Backlash Mounts Over Israel’s Gaza City Takeover Plan
Asia

From October 7 To Gaza’s Ruins: Scars Run Deep On Both Sides As War Hits Two-year Mark

October 7, 2025
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
General News

IMANI Challenges Minister’s Claim of ‘Increased Value Offer’ in DStv Deal

October 7, 2025
Petrol, LPG Prices to Rise Slightly from August 16, Diesel to Drop – COMAC 
Extractives/Energy

COMAC Probes into Alleged Manipulation of Fuel Consumption Data 

October 7, 2025
Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session
Securities/Markets

Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session

October 7, 2025
Flight Lands Early After Masked Passenger Raves About Gay People
Oddities

Flight Lands Early After Masked Passenger Raves About Gay People

October 6, 2025
Government to Roll Out ‘Nkukor Nkitinkiti’ Programme in October
General News

IMANI Warns of Poultry Waste Risk Without Processing Plan Under Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme

by Silas Kafui AssemOctober 7, 2025
International Backlash Mounts Over Israel’s Gaza City Takeover Plan
Asia

From October 7 To Gaza’s Ruins: Scars Run Deep On Both Sides As War Hits Two-year Mark

by Comfort AmpomaaOctober 7, 2025
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
General News

IMANI Challenges Minister’s Claim of ‘Increased Value Offer’ in DStv Deal

by Evans Junior OwuOctober 7, 2025
Petrol, LPG Prices to Rise Slightly from August 16, Diesel to Drop – COMAC 
Extractives/Energy

COMAC Probes into Alleged Manipulation of Fuel Consumption Data 

by Prince AgyapongOctober 7, 2025
Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session
Securities/Markets

Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session

by Stephen M.COctober 7, 2025
Flight Lands Early After Masked Passenger Raves About Gay People
Oddities

Flight Lands Early After Masked Passenger Raves About Gay People

by Esther Korantemaa OffeiOctober 6, 2025
Government to Roll Out ‘Nkukor Nkitinkiti’ Programme in October
International Backlash Mounts Over Israel’s Gaza City Takeover Plan
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
Petrol, LPG Prices to Rise Slightly from August 16, Diesel to Drop – COMAC 
Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session
Flight Lands Early After Masked Passenger Raves About Gay People
[/vc_row_inner]

Recent News

  • IMANI Warns of Poultry Waste Risk Without Processing Plan Under Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme
  • From October 7 To Gaza’s Ruins: Scars Run Deep On Both Sides As War Hits Two-year Mark
  • IMANI Challenges Minister’s Claim of ‘Increased Value Offer’ in DStv Deal
  • COMAC Probes into Alleged Manipulation of Fuel Consumption Data 
  • Over GH¢39 Million Worth of Shares Change Hands in Explosive Trading Session
The Vaultz News

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2D
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.