The Ghanaian government has launched a series of new measures aimed at curbing illegal mining, as part of efforts to protect the environment and regulate the mining sector.
The presidency announced on Wednesday that Ghana is implementing new measures to tackle illegal mining, responding to growing public pressure for the government to address this issue in recent weeks.
Illegal mining, referred to as “galamsey” in the local context, presents a significant threat to the environment by contaminating soil and water in this West African country, which is also the leading gold producer on the continent.
In a statement, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the deployment of more military troops and naval vessels on polluted rivers to ensure that all mining activities, whether legal or illegal, are immediately halted in these areas.
“In an effort to strengthen legal measures against illegal mining activities, four specialized courts have already been established,” the statement noted.
Illegal mining poses a significant threat to cacao production, which is one of the country’s most vital economic sectors.
Since 2022, the sector has faced challenges due to an economic crisis and rampant inflation, causing a rising number of farmers to sell their land to illegal miners.
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In September, a series of protests erupted in the capital city of Accra over the government’s management of illegal mining activities.
Fifty-four activists were detained, leading to public outcry as many accused the government of suppressing freedom of expression.
The arrests triggered another wave of protests earlier this month, demanding the release of the activists and also calling for an end to “galamsey.”
On Wednesday, all the protesters in Ghana were released by the courts, except for Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who is accused of leading the protest movement.
The nation’s trade unions had planned a strike for October 10 to exert pressure on the government. However, they suspended their plans after meeting with President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday.
Ghana, home to 33 million residents, was compelled to default on its external debt as a result of a financial crisis in 2022.
It is gradually stabilizing its economy with a $3 billion relief package from the International Monetary Fund.
