Presidential Staffer Beatrice Annan, has defended the government’s renewed fight against illegal mining, insisting that unlike the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, the current government is taking concrete steps to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure the country’s future.
Ms. Annan pushed back against what she described as “hypocritical narratives” from opposition figures, arguing that the NPP’s record on illegal mining or galamsey was characterized by “talk without tangible results.”
“The NPP talked big, but we’re the ones taking action,” she said. “Our approach is guided by discipline, enforcement, and sustainability, not slogans and photo opportunities.”
Beatrice Annan, Presidential Staffer
Ms. Annan explained that the government’s ongoing measures go beyond rhetoric, targeting both local and high-level operators who have long benefitted from the destruction of Ghana’s forest reserves and river bodies.
According to her, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Environment Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces, has been executing a coordinated enforcement plan since the beginning of the third quarter of 2025.
“For the first time in many years, we are seeing illegal miners prosecuted and equipment confiscated through proper legal processes. We are also restoring mined lands, not just for show, but as part of a long-term reforestation and livelihood support plan”
Beatrice Annan, Presidential Staffer
Ms. Annan said the government’s actions reflect a “shift in national mindset” about environmental protection, insisting that mining cannot come at the expense of public health or water security.
She added that the government has already completed an audit of mining concessions across the country to identify those operating illegally or beyond their licensed boundaries.
Touching on the human and economic toll of illegal mining, the Presidential Staffer said the government views the menace as a national security threat.
“When rivers like Pra and Offin are poisoned and communities lose access to clean water, that’s not just an environmental issue it’s a public health and security issue”
Beatrice Annan, Presidential Staffer
Ms. Annan said the government’s strategy involves working closely with local authorities and traditional leaders to empower them in monitoring mining activities within their districts.
She acknowledged that political interference and corruption had weakened enforcement in the past but stressed that “the current administration is determined to break that cycle.”
She also revealed that National Commission on Civic Education, together with the Ministry of Lands, will roll out a nationwide public education campaign aimed at reshaping public attitudes towards responsible mining and conservation.
Addressing criticism from NPP communicators who claim that the new administration has only rebranded old policies, Ms. Annan said the difference lies in commitment and consistency.
“The previous government launched taskforces and committees, but we all saw what happened river bodies turned brown, forests were burned, and communities were left worse off. “We’re not here to play politics with the environment. We’re here to protect the next generation’s right to clean water and a sustainable future”
Beatrice Annan, Presidential Staffer
She pointed out that the government’s interventions are being backed by data driven monitoring and real time satellite tracking of illegal mining sites. “This isn’t a one-off operation; it’s a systemic reform,” she stressed.
Ms. Annan said President John Mahama’s administration has prioritized transparency by publishing periodic reports on enforcement activities, a move she described as proof that “this government is not afraid of accountability.”
Support From All
The Presidential Staffer also called on all Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliation, to support the national campaign against illegal mining.
“This fight is not NDC versus NPP. It is Ghana versus environmental destruction,” she said. “Every citizen, from the chiefs to the youth in mining communities, has a role to play.”
She urged traditional leaders to stand firm against illegal operators and encouraged young people to take advantage of government-backed alternative livelihood programs in agriculture, eco-tourism, and small-scale legal mining.
Ms. Annan reaffirmed that the government’s goal is to create a balance between economic opportunity and environmental sustainability.
“We cannot build a future by destroying our land,” she stated firmly. “This administration is demonstrating through action that we can grow the economy while protecting the environment. That’s what responsible leadership looks like”
Beatrice Annan, Presidential Staffer
She concluded by challenging the opposition to focus on constructive national dialogue instead of politicizing the fight against galamsey.
“We inherited devastation, but we are restoring order. We are not just talking, we are acting. That is the difference between promises and leadership,” she said.
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