Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has restated his proposals for ending illegal small-scale mining, stressing that the government must move beyond dialogue and focus on concrete actions.
His renewed call came as President John Dramani Mahama prepares to meet with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday, October 3, 2025, for discussions on the menace of galamsey.
Bentil outlined a comprehensive list of measures he believes are essential if the country is serious about addressing the problem and accused the state of not being proactive enough.
He proposed that galamsey areas be declared security zones, with all such concessions forfeited to the state. He called for District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Regional Ministers in affected areas to be dismissed if galamsey persists under their watch, and demanded stronger financial commitments from mining companies.
“I have made many suggestions, some taken, others ignored. Declare Galamsey areas as Security zones – ongoing though not complete. Forfeit Galamsey areas to the state – No Action Yet. Sack DCEs and Regional Ministers in Galamsey areas – No Action.
“Demand a deposit of GHS10 million for each license as capital – No Action. Demand a Bond worth GH 10 Million for reclamation – No Action”
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa
Bentil further urged the government to impose a total ban on the importation of excavators, allowing only national security to bring them in under strict supervision. He said all existing excavators should be placed under national security control, painted red, and marked with visible numbers to ensure that any unsanctioned machines could be identified as illegal.
“This way all working excavators will be working under supervision of national security,” he stressed.
His proposals also included a permanent prohibition on mining in forest reserves and the repeal of legislative instruments that permit such activities. He maintained that regional and district security councils should make galamsey their top priority, with immediate sanctions for any failure to curb it. “If galamsey is found sack the top 4 leaders,” Bentil urged.
Declining Mahama’s CSO Engagement
Despite the upcoming presidential dialogue with civil society, Bentil said he would not attend. He explained that IMANI has already expressed its position in public forums, in the media, and in direct engagements with authorities.
He noted that the organisation’s president, Franklin Cudjoe, had made clear their collective stance that action, not more talk, is needed – a position he threw his weight behind, insisting that “enough has been said.”
Mr. Bentil also clarified that IMANI’s President, Franklin Cudjoe is the one to determine who represents the think tank at tomorrow’s dialogue and will most likely be the one to go.
“To those asking and sending me issues to raise at the CSO meeting on Galamsey – I am not attending,” he firmly announced, further adding that the CSO space is already filled with credible voices who can adequately represent the public interest.
He reposed trust in stakeholders such as Ing. Ken Ashigbey and other civil society leaders who had proven themselves to be committed and knowledgeable voices in the anti-galamsey campaign to attend the dialogue and do justice to the discussions. “They will be there, I trust them,” he expressed.
The meeting between President Mahama and CSOs will be held at the Jubilee House at noon on Friday, October 3. A letter signed by Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, said the event is designed to foster candid and constructive discussions.
“This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge”
Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President
While acknowledging the value of civil society advocacy, Bentil emphasised that the ultimate responsibility for resolving the galamsey crisis lies with the government and the presidency.
“If Galamsey is serious, let us treat it as if it is. We are not all responsible for dealing with this, the president and his government are. We can only crusade and we have been doing that”
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa
With President Mahama set to host the dialogue on Friday, Bentil’s absence will be notable. Yet his detailed proposals, once again restated, continue to frame the wider debate on how to end illegal mining.
READ ALSO: Kojo Choi Engages PHDC on $60 Billion Petroleum Hub Investment Opportunities
