The fight against galamsey, Ghana’s illegal mining menace, has taken a dramatic turn as the government rolls out new interventions aimed at tackling the crisis that has long plagued the country’s water bodies, forests, and communities.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has expressed cautious optimism about these measures, describing them as a fresh step that could potentially yield positive results if implemented effectively and fairly.
Prof. Gyampo, known for his outspoken views on national issues, reflected on the past failures in addressing galamsey, blaming previous administrations and certain individuals for either encouraging the practice or failing to take decisive action.
According to him, Ghana’s current situation could have been avoided if the previous government had demonstrated even a fraction of the effort now being made.
“If those attempting to hijack the fight against galamsey had not brazenly encouraged it, and if those who yesterday insisted that galamsey shouldn’t be fought and openly defied the calls to deal with the menace had not done all they did, we wouldn’t have been where we are today.”
Prof. Ransford Gyampo
He lamented how political interference and selfish interests worsened the problem, stating that those who once defied calls to fight galamsey are now pretending to champion the cause.
“Illegal mining was bad yesterday, and it cannot be justified today,” he said, criticizing what he described as the hypocrisy of some current voices in the debate.
Water Bodies and Forests Declared Security Zones
As part of the government’s latest initiative, all water bodies and forest reserves have been declared security zones. Under this new framework, security forces will be permanently stationed at illegal mining sites to prevent galamsey activities.
A very recent addition to the fight against galamsey is to declare all water bodies and forests as security zones.
“Under this initiative, security forces are to be stationed permanently at the illegal mining sites to ward off and deal ruthlessly (within the confines of law) with all who are engaged in this dangerous war against humanity in Ghana.”
Prof. Ransford Gyampo
The success of this approach, he stressed, will depend on how fearlessly and impartially the security forces carry out their mandate.
He emphasized that officers must act decisively without regard to partisan affiliations, nationality, or social status, as anything less would undermine the credibility of the entire operation.
Prof. Gyampo added that Ghanaians expect this bold initiative to deliver real results and bring lasting relief to communities devastated by galamsey.
State of Emergency as a Last Resort To Fight Galamsey
While the academic and policy expert has long advocated for a state of emergency to be declared in illegal mining zones, he acknowledged the President’s decision to hold off on such a drastic measure for now.
“While I still stand by my call for a state of emergency to be declared around the illegal mining areas, I also see the wisdom in the President’s position of allowing the new interventions to work and declaring the state of emergency as a last resort, should his interventions fail.”
Prof. Ransford Gyampo
Prof. Gyampo underscored the urgency of the situation, describing galamsey as a “dangerous war against humanity.”
He called on political leaders to set aside partisan interests and work collectively to save Ghana’s environment and future generations.
Providing insight into how galamsey spiraled out of control, Prof. Gyampo cited data from the Ghana Mining Repository, which paints a troubling picture.
Between 1988 and 2008, only 40 mining licenses were issued. This number rose to 59 licenses between 2009 and 2016, but between 2017 and early 2025, the figure skyrocketed to a staggering 2,151 licenses.
This sharp increase, he argued, reflects the reckless expansion of mining activities under the previous administration. During the 2025 transition period alone, 55 licenses were issued, all of which have now been revoked by the John Mahama administration.
In addition, Prof. Gyampo revealed that over 900 more licenses are currently under review due to irregularities in how they were granted.
Government to Repeal Controversial Mining Law
Prof. Gyampo also addressed a controversial law passed by the former government, which he claims was designed to benefit corrupt cronies and allow them to exploit Ghana’s gold resources without regard for the devastating ecological consequences.
“In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the then opposition party promised to repeal the law that the previous government passed to enable its unscrupulous cronies to go mine Ghana down in terms of our gold, while leaving dangerous ecological footprints for us all.”.
Prof. Ransford Gyampo
Initially, the current government attempted to amend the law by removing certain problematic provisions. However, public demand for a total repeal persisted, leading the government to shift its position.
Prof. Gyampo confirmed that the ruling administration has now agreed to completely repeal the law during the next parliamentary session.
This move, he added, signals a decisive step toward reforming Ghana’s mining sector and restoring public confidence in the government’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Prof. Gyampo ended his remarks with a stern warning to the opposition, who contributed to the current crisis, urging them to take responsibility rather than criticize ongoing efforts. “You do not defecate on yourself and get to complain when someone is cleaning your mess.”
With these new measures, including the designation of security zones, stricter license controls, and the repeal of exploitative laws, the Mahama-led government hopes to make a lasting impact in the war against galamsey.
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