- Illegal mining activities have reached alarming levels
- The government is implementing a more aggressive approach to combat galamsey
- Ghana Water Company Limited reports water supply issues linked to illegal mining
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has emphasized the government’s dedication to escalating its fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, especially on water bodies.
Abu Jinapor announced that law enforcement agencies will be mobilized soon to address areas with increasing illegal mining, with particular attention to the Central Region.
He assured that a comprehensive review and deployment would occur today, stating with confidence that efforts to combat illegal mining would be significantly intensified.
“We are preparing for a complete crackdown,” Jinapor said. “We will send law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough operation across the affected regions, particularly in the Central Region. You can be assured that these measures will be visible and effective.”
The urgency for action has been underscored by recent statements from the Ghana Water Company Limited, which reported imminent water supply issues in Cape Coast, Elmina, and nearby communities. The company attributed these challenges to a reduction in raw water at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant due to galamsey activities.
Environmental advocates, civil society groups, and concerned citizens have expressed frustration over the slow progress in addressing galamsey, which has led to river contamination, farmland destruction, and loss of livelihoods for many Ghanaians.
In an interview, Jinapor, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Damongo, assured that a major operation will commence within the next 24 hours to remove illegal miners from critical areas.
He elaborated that the government’s anti-galamsey initiative, Operation Halt, is a strategic and targeted effort rather than a continuous campaign. Enforcement actions will be taken as needed when illegal mining activities escalate in specific regions.
“We will conduct the review today, and within the next 24 hours, we will mobilize the necessary resources and take action,” Jinapor confirmed.
