The Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that the prosecution of galamsey offenders remains Ghana's real challenge, despite the arrest of 258 suspects and the seizure of thousands of mining equipment.
Galamsey Enforcement Falls Short Without Successful Prosecutions
The government's intensified campaign against illegal mining has resulted in the arrest of 258 suspects and the seizure or immobilisation of thousands of pieces of mining equipment. However, the prosecution of those arrested remains a major concern. The minister stated that the challenge lies not in the arrest, but in the prosecution.
In operations targeting illegal mining in forest reserves, 200 excavators had been seized and 34 immobilised by July 2026. The authorities had also seized 1,469 pumping machines, 950 changfan machines, 48 tricycles, 285 motorbikes, and 82 gold detectors. A further 1,259 pumping machines and 774 changfan machines had been immobilised, while 801 structures had also been immobilised.
Degraded Forest Reserves Pose Significant Restoration Challenge
The minister disclosed that approximately 8,900 hectares of forest reserves had been completely degraded through illegal mining and other destructive activities. Nine forest reserves were identified as among the worst affected. According to the minister, some of the affected areas had become difficult for Forestry Commission officials to access because of the activities of illegal miners, including the reported presence of weapons and incidents of violence.
Tackling the Galamsey Supply Chain
The government is also seeking to disrupt the supply chain that supports illegal mining. The minister said 1,724 of the machines seized or immobilised were changfans, many of which were fabricated locally before being transported to mining areas and water bodies. The development has raised concerns about the role of local manufacturers, suppliers, and financiers in sustaining illegal mining operations.
Mining Licensing Reforms on the Horizon
The government is pursuing changes to the mining licensing regime as part of its broader response to challenges within the sector. The proposed reforms would reduce the maximum initial duration of large-scale mining leases from 30 years to 20 years. The Ministry also plans to introduce stricter requirements for holders of exploration and prospecting licences to demonstrate meaningful activity within specified periods.
Prosecution Remains the Key Test of Effectiveness
The ability of the state to successfully prosecute offenders could determine whether the current enforcement campaign produces a sustained deterrence against galamsey. With hundreds of machines seized or immobilised and thousands of hectares of forest reserves affected, the prosecution of suspects remains a critical measure of the government's effectiveness in tackling the issue. The government's stated objective is to make excavators operating in Ghana traceable, and it remains to be seen whether the current efforts will yield lasting results.
Source: Joy Online
