Government officials involved in illegal mining will be dismissed from their positions and face prosecution -Kwakye Ofosu
Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu has declared that government officials found complicit in illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye emphasized the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, warning that no one, including presidential appointees, would be spared if found guilty.
“Even legal mining is off-limits for appointees, let alone illegal mining,” he stated firmly.
He attributed the rise of galamsey under the previous administration to direct government involvement and misuse of power. In response, the current government revoked all recently issued mining licenses upon assuming office and has suspended the issuance of new ones pending thorough review.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye also detailed plans to reform mining regulations. He pointed to Legislative Instrument 2462—which allows presidential approval of mining in forest reserves—as a provision ripe for abuse. The government, he said, intends to amend both L.I. 2462 and the Minerals and Mining Act to enforce a total ban on mining in forest reserves.
Describing galamsey as “environmental terrorism,” he warned that the illegal practice is jeopardizing Ghana’s future.
To enhance enforcement, monitoring teams have been stationed along water bodies to swiftly detect and report illegal mining. Since taking office, the government has arrested 71 suspects and confiscated over 150 mining machines and weapons.
Additionally, the administration has launched a national reforestation campaign—Trees for Life—to rehabilitate lands devastated by illegal mining. While acknowledging that recovery will take time, Mr. Ofosu Kwakye said early signs of progress are visible.
“The President has made it clear—no one is above the law. Whether you’re a relative or a high-ranking official, if you engage in galamsey, you will be held accountable,” he concluded.
