Ghana says it is on the right path in fight against illegal mining Ghana’s Forestry Commission Deputy CEO, Elikem Kotoko, says the country is making progress in its fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. He expressed confidence in the government’s approach despite continuing environmental and enforcement challenges.
The comments come amid intensified efforts to remove illegal miners from forest reserves, river bodies and mining concessions. Recent enforcement operations have included the seizure or immobilisation of excavators and the destruction of mining equipment used in illegal operations.
Some of the measures being pursued include:
Tighter monitoring of excavators, including registration, geo-tagging and remote immobilisation for non-compliance.
Stronger joint enforcement involving the military, police and Forestry Commission.
Greater involvement of traditional authorities and the EPA in the mining-licensing process.
Revocation of licences considered irregular and a shift from the Community Mining Scheme toward a Cooperative Mining Scheme.
Kotoko has previously argued that illegal mining and environmental destruction cannot be justified regardless of who is involved, and has expressed confidence that investigations into alleged official involvement should lead to action.
Why it matters The statement is significant because illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s biggest environmental and mining-sector challenges. The government is attempting to balance small-scale mining livelihoods and gold production with protection of forests, farmland and water resources.
The key test will be whether enforcement can move beyond periodic raids toward sustained control, prosecution, reclamation and prevention of illegal mining, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.
