The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on the media to intensify its role in holding leaders accountable in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop in Kumasi organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines for selected journalists, he warned that the devastation caused by galamsey now amounts to a national security crisis that demands urgent and fearless reporting.
“Galamsey is no longer a threat to individual well-being but a national security threat. Chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, children born with deformities, and kidney failure, and these attendant health challenges are all linked to galamsey and the use of harmful chemicals in certain operations”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, GJA President
The GJA President expressed concern over the failure of governments to take decisive action against galamsey despite repeated promises.
“Lack of political will from successive governments to walk the talk by ensuring an end to galamsey has caused a great disservice to Ghana,” he said, arguing that political leaders have lacked the determination to enforce tough measures, allowing the menace to destroy forests, arable land, and water bodies vital to communities across the country.
Mr. Dwumfour urged journalists to “resist complacency,” and instead “expose inefficiencies,” in governance by digging deeper into the policies and practices surrounding mining.
According to him, journalists have a duty not just to report the visible destruction but also to push duty bearers to adopt sustainable policies and ensure that mining revenues are properly utilised for the benefit of citizens.
Addressing the journalists further, he charged them to actively shape national conversations that could lead to sustainable reforms by exploring the complexities of “mining regulations, economic policies, and innovative solutions,” being developed to combat environmental destruction.
“We have a huge role to play as journalists. Whilst it’s easy to focus on the negative, it’s our responsibility as journalists to go deeper and push duty bearers to root out illegal mining and use revenues earned from mining judiciously for the benefit of people who are the real owners of the nation’s minerals”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, GJA President
Chamber of Mines on Legal Framework
In his remarks at the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Ken Ashigbey, called on the media to play an advocacy role in pushing for a stronger and more progressive legal regime for the mining industry.
He explained that Ghana stands to lose out in a globally competitive sector if its legal framework remains outdated or weak.
“The current Minerals and Mining Act is undergoing revision, but that revision needs to be forward-looking. We need a law that attracts both foreign and local direct investment in a highly competitive global market, whilst simultaneously ensuring that a fair share of value created remains in Ghana”
Dr. Ken Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines
He maintained that with stronger laws and transparent policies, the nation can strike a balance between harnessing the economic potential of its mineral resources and safeguarding the environment from reckless exploitation.
The workshop, which brought together journalists from across the country, underscored the importance of building the capacity of the media to report more effectively on mining issues. Both speakers highlighted the need for deeper analysis of mining policy, revenue utilisation, and environmental safeguards.
For the GJA President, the fight against galamsey requires both political commitment and active media vigilance. For the Chamber of Mines, reforming the legal framework and strengthening regulations is central to ensuring that Ghana not only preserves its natural environment but also maximises returns from its mineral wealth.
Together, their calls point to the need for collaborative effort between state institutions, the media, and industry stakeholders in addressing the galamsey menace that continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and the future of the nation.
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