Mr. Isaac Tandoh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, has turned the spotlight on the state of illegal mining in Ghana and the government’s efforts so far, calling for all hands-on deck while stressing the importance of stronger oversight at the local level to address the menace of illegal and unsustainable mining activities.
Speaking at the National Conference for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) held at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi, Mr. Tandoh underscored that effective regulation and institutional collaboration are essential to tackling this existential threat.
Organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs under the theme “Combating Illegal Mining in Ghana: The Role of Local Governments,” the event gathered senior government officials, traditional authorities, security leadership, and local executives to forge a unified national front against galamsey.
“Coordinated and prioritised action from local government authorities and security agencies will promote responsible mineral resource management. Strengthening oversight at the local level is essential to addressing the menace of illegal and unsustainable mining activities.”
Mr. Isaac Tandoh
Expanding on the imperative for decentralized intervention, Mr. Tandoh highlighted the dedicated initiatives undertaken by the state alongside the persistent operational hurdles encountered on the ground.
He asserted that prioritizing coordinated action among local government authorities, regulatory agencies, and security apparatuses remains the most viable pathway toward promoting responsible mineral resource management.
The Imperative for Decentralized Oversight
The urgency surrounding this regulatory pivot stems from the severe environmental degradation, river pollution, and socio-economic risks posed by unregulated extraction across rural Ghana.
For years, centralized enforcement frameworks have struggled to maintain continuous surveillance over dispersed illegal mining sites, allowing illegal operations to thrive in remote concessions.
Local authorities and district security council possess immediate proximity to these mining-prone communities, making their active participation vital for real-time monitoring and swift enforcement against unauthorized activities.
Traditional leadership reinforces this front-line defense mechanism. Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, who chaired the occasion, underscored the critical role of traditional authorities in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources alongside state institutions.
Institutional Alignment and Security Strategy
Achieving lasting compliance requires aligning grassroots administration with national security operations.
Contributions from the National Security Coordinator, COP Abdul Razak Osman, and Colonel K. S. Appiah, Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), focused on the pivotal role of security agencies in combating illegal mining through intelligence-led operations.
Their inputs emphasized that law enforcement efforts are most effective when supported by accurate, community-level insights gathered by local government officers.
A key outcome of the engagement was the explicit recognition that local government authorities must actively facilitate collaboration with regulatory and security bodies to close institutional gaps.
Through interactive sessions, participants examined enforcement bottlenecks and formulated practical strategies to enhance accountability and inter-agency coordination at the district level.
Driving Accountability and Sustained Action
To translate conference resolutions into measurable field actions, decisive administrative deadlines have been instituted.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, tasked local government executives in mining-prone districts to submit a comprehensive report to his office within 30 days, identifying all affected sites and communities.
This directive mandates MMDCEs to take direct ownership of their jurisdictions, ensuring that illegal mining hotspots are formally mapped and targeted for remediation.
Ultimately, the Kumasi conference reinforced the necessity of a united national response that bridges central ministries, traditional custodians, security bodies, regulatory agencies, and grassroots communities.
By embedding rigorous local oversight into national mineral governance, stakeholders aim to protect the environment and guarantee the sustainable management of Ghana’s extractive wealth for generations to come.
