- Deportation is seen as a practical response to manage large numbers of foreign arrests
- ritics argue the policy creates double standards, as Ghanaians are fully prosecuted
- The policy aims to ease the burden on Ghana’s prison and court systems
Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Terlarbi has acknowledged that Ghana’s overwhelmed criminal justice and prison systems are struggling to effectively prosecute and detain foreign nationals involved in illegal mining, or galamsey.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Terlarbi defended Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak’s controversial directive, which calls for the immediate deportation of arrested foreign nationals and the mass transfer of police commanders in mining areas. The directive has faced criticism from civil society groups, opposition leaders, and security experts, who claim it reflects a double standard in law enforcement and undermines the fight against environmental crime.
Terlarbi explained that the system’s logistical challenges, such as managing large groups of detainees and difficulties in transportation to court, make it impractical to prosecute foreign nationals. He further noted the complexities of identifying foreign suspects, especially when they do not have proper documentation.
While Ghanaians arrested for illegal mining face prosecution, Terlarbi admitted that deporting foreign nationals is often the more practical solution due to the strained prison system. He stressed that this decision is not about leniency but rather a necessary response to a broken system. With over 1,400 inmates and limited resources, Terlarbi suggested repatriating foreign nationals as a way to avoid further strain on the system.
Though his comments acknowledged the presence of double standards, Terlarbi emphasized the need for innovative solutions to address the complexities of illegal mining and its foreign perpetrators.
