Coalition Calls for Probe into MP, NDC Executives Over Alleged Galamsey Involvement
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has demanded an immediate investigation into Aowin Member of Parliament, Oscar Ofori Larbi, and two National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency executives over their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities. Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Coalition’s Convener, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, urged state authorities to take firm and impartial action. Dr. Ashigbey stressed that political affiliations must not be used as a shield to protect those who flout the law. “This is no longer just an environmental issue. Communities are being poisoned, our water bodies are being destroyed, and the future of this nation is being mortgaged due to inaction on illegal mining,” he declared. Dr. Ashigbey warned that if individuals entrusted with the responsibility of making laws are found to be breaking them, it signals a deeper national crisis. The Coalition is demanding that state investigative bodies immediately look into the allegations and, if evidence is found, pursue prosecution without fear or favour. Dr. Ashigbey renewed calls for the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency in areas most affected by galamsey, noting that the scale of destruction now poses a serious national security risk. “We cannot afford selective justice. Accountability must be upheld regardless of political ties. The law must work for all,” he added. The Coalition’s demands underscore the need for impartial action against individuals accused of engaging in illegal mining activities, regardless of their political affiliations. The call for a nationwide state of emergency highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for urgent action to mitigate the effects of galamsey.
Small-Scale Miners Make Progress in Meeting Gold Trading License Deadline
The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association is confident about meeting the June 21 deadline set by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for compliance with the new gold trading license regime. After an initial extension was granted due to documentation delays, the association’s President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, reports significant progress. According to Peprah, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has streamlined its processes, establishing additional offices at the district level to support existing structures. This development has greatly reduced the time required to obtain necessary clearances for gold trading licenses. Peprah noted that relevant state institutions are now prioritizing the GoldBod licensing process, accelerating the regularisation of small-scale miners nationwide. With these improvements, the association is optimistic about meeting the June 21 deadline. The Ghana Gold Board had warned that June 21 would be the final deadline for compliance, with no further extensions allowed. The association’s progress suggests that its members are well on track to meet the requirements, ensuring their continued participation in the gold trading industry. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
MDF Administrator Cracks Down on Illegal Mining in Nkomteng
The Administrator of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF), Dr. Hanna Bisiw-Kotei, paid a working visit to mining sites in Nkomteng, a community in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region, on June 3rd. The visit aimed to assess the environmental impact of ongoing mining activities in the area. The local Assemblyman, a site foreman, and security personnel accompanied Dr. Kotei. During the visit, authorities apprehended two Indian nationals and ten other individuals believed to be engaged in illegal mining. Several other miners reportedly fled the site upon seeing the team. Dr. Kotei expressed deep concern over the level of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. Dr. Kotei assured the public that the MDF will collaborate with Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to hold perpetrators accountable and strengthen enforcement efforts. She emphasized the importance of sustained public education to raise awareness of the severe health and environmental dangers posed by illegal mining. Dr. Kotei cited life-threatening conditions such as kidney and liver failure as common consequences of prolonged exposure to toxic substances from mining activities. She noted that two lives have already been lost due to incidents in the mining pits. The visit forms part of ongoing efforts by the MDF to monitor mining activities and ensure sustainable and responsible resource exploitation across the country. Dr. Kotei’s actions demonstrate the MDF’s commitment to protecting the environment and promoting responsible mining practices. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minister Buah Commends IGP and Police Service for Efforts Against Illegal Mining
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah, has commended Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno and the Ghana Police Service for their significant role in the ongoing fight against illegal mining. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the Global Mining Summit on Monday, June 2, 2025, the Minister acknowledged the contributions of the IGP, the Police Service, and other security agencies in combating illegal mining and protecting the country’s water bodies. “The IGP’s personal effort and role have been great so far, and the Police Service must be commended along with the other security agencies helping us to root out this canker,” the Minister said. Over the past two months, the Ghana Police Service has intensified operations against illegal mining, seizing over 100 excavators, bulldozers, weapons, and other exhibits in Samreboi and surrounding communities alone. Several suspects have been arrested and are currently undergoing legal processes. Similar operations have been conducted in parts of the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Central, and Upper West Regions. The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against illegal mining, working in collaboration with other stakeholders to protect water bodies and natural resources. The Minister’s commendation highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, security services, and other stakeholders in addressing the challenge of illegal mining. The Ghana Police Service’s efforts in this regard are seen as a crucial step towards protecting the country’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Asantehene Identifies Corruption and Political Miscalculations as Barriers to Fighting Galamsey
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has identified entrenched corruption and political miscalculations as major obstacles to Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. Apexnewsgh reports Addressing participants at the Global Mining Summit in Accra, the revered monarch expressed deep concern over the continued degradation of the country’s natural environment, warning that illegal mining poses a serious threat to Ghana’s ecological and economic sustainability. “The pollution of our water bodies, the destruction of our forests, and the degradation of virgin lands cannot be allowed to continue unchecked,” Otumfuo stated. He criticized the inefficacy of repeated government interventions, noting that systemic failures and weak enforcement have consistently undermined well-intentioned measures. “It cannot be denied that the cocktail of regulatory failures, political miscalculations, and corruption has combined to make the curbing of this menace more challenging,” he said. The Asantehene urged stakeholders to engage in honest, evidence-based policy reviews and to pursue firm regulatory enforcement to combat the galamsey crisis. “We have the opportunity to calmly dissect the policy options and tools available to deal with the problem,” he advised. Despite the grim outlook on illegal mining, Otumfuo commended the government for introducing innovative policies in the mining sector, singling out the Gold for Oil (Gold4Oil) programme as a positive step. He also welcomed the recent establishment of Goldbod, a new mining entity, describing it as a timely and creative initiative with the capacity to boost investor confidence and production yields. “The emergence of the new Goldbod is a creative initiative we need for the rise of the industry, increasing the prospect for more investment and higher yields,” he said. The Asantehene’s remarks have sparked renewed calls for a holistic and nonpartisan approach to ending illegal mining in Ghana. His comments have highlighted the need for a collaborative effort to address the galamsey crisis and promote sustainable development in the mining sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Achieves Major Breakthrough in Fight Against Illegal Mining
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining, revealing that illegal miners have been successfully cleared from eight of the nine forest reserves previously ravaged by environmental degradation. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the Global Mining Summit in Accra, the President described the achievement as a landmark moment in the country’s renewed push to restore degraded lands and promote responsible mining practices. “This is a major milestone in our renewed commitment to reclaim our environment and safeguard our natural ecosystems,” President Mahama said. The clearance operation is part of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at balancing ecological protection with sustainable resource extraction. The President underscored that small-scale miners have a legitimate role to play in Ghana’s development when properly trained and regulated. “Let me be clear: artisanal miners are not enemies of the state,” he stated. “If properly trained and supported, they can become valuable allies in our development agenda. Working together, we will reclaim our forest reserves and restore the purity of our water bodies.” As part of enhanced regulatory enforcement, the government has deployed “river guards” tasked with protecting Ghana’s waterways from illegal mining activities. The President also announced stringent new measures to regulate the use and importation of excavators—equipment frequently implicated in environmental destruction. “We will track all excavators to ensure they are not being used for illegal mining,” he stressed. “Ghana currently has more excavators than the rest of Africa combined. Going forward, no one will be allowed to import an excavator without a valid permit under the new regulatory framework.” President Mahama revealed that the government is partnering with small-scale mining associations to lead land reclamation efforts, signalling a shift toward more collaborative and environmentally responsible policies in the mining sector. This partnership aims to promote sustainable mining practices and restore the country’s natural resources. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Gold Board Extends License Transition Deadline
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially extended the deadline for transitioning to its new gold trading license regime from May 21 to June 21, 2025. Apexnewsgh reports This decision follows multiple petitions from stakeholders within the gold trading industry, who requested more time to comply with the new regulations. Under the revised directive, all persons currently holding licenses previously issued by the now-defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are permitted to continue purchasing and dealing in gold using those licenses until the new deadline. However, GoldBod has made it clear that this grace period is final and non-extendable. After June 21, 2025, only holders of a GoldBod license will be allowed to purchase, sell, or deal in gold. The use of licenses issued by the defunct PMMC or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will be prohibited beyond this date. A breach of this directive will constitute a punishable offense under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). Effective immediately, the export function tied to old licenses has been revoked. Only GoldBod, as a corporate entity, retains the authority to export small-scale gold from Ghana. This marks a significant shift in gold export control, centralizing the process under a single regulatory body. GoldBod encourages all prospective traders and dealers to begin or complete their license applications via its official website. While the application process remains open beyond the June 21 deadline, the agency reiterated that no trading or dealing in gold will be allowed without a valid GoldBod license after that date. GoldBod calls for continued cooperation from all stakeholders and members of the public as it implements these regulatory reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and national interest in the gold sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Finance Minister Announces Exclusive Authority for Ghana Gold Board
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced that the long-standing disarray has been resolved. Apexnewsgh.com Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly constituted Governing Board of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) in Accra on Monday, May 19, Dr. Forson declared that GoldBod would now hold exclusive authority over all trade involving gold sourced from the small-scale mining sector. Reflecting on the previous issues plaguing the gold sector, Dr. Forson explained how the lack of coordination among various entities had inadvertently facilitated widespread gold smuggling and significant losses in foreign exchange for the country. “I am happy to announce that the erstwhile chaos in Ghana’s gold purchasing sector that prevented the nation from fully benefiting from its gold resources has come to an end,” he stated. Previously, a multitude of organizations—including the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF)—were involved in separate gold purchasing schemes, such as “gold for forex,” “gold for reserves,” “gold for oil,” and “gold for cash.” This fragmentation resulted in overlapping mandates and a poorly regulated sector. Dr. Forson pointed out that despite MIIF’s primary mandate to optimize mineral investment, its involvement in gold buying had led to substantial financial losses. However, the newly structured GoldBod is stepping in to address these issues directly. “Under the new structure, GoldBod has been given the exclusive role of managing official gold trading,” he announced. “The Ghana GoldBod is now the sole buyer and assayer of gold, with the exclusive mandate to grant licenses to engage in the trade of gold from Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.” Commending the early efforts of GoldBod, Dr. Forson stressed its importance in contributing to the country’s economic stability. “Distinguished members of the Board, I am pleased to observe that the GoldBod has already begun to fulfill its objectives and has contributed immensely to the recent stability of the Ghana Cedi through gold reserve accumulation,” he remarked. The restructuring of the gold sector is anticipated to streamline trading operations and enable Ghana to maximize revenue from one of its most valuable natural resources, ensuring that the nation fully capitalizes on its rich gold deposits. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator Dismisses Claims of Illegal Mine Takeover
The Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari, has denied allegations that National Security operatives have taken over and are operating a licensed underground small-scale mine in Akatakyieso, Adansi North District. Apexnewsgh reports The claims were made in a viral Facebook post by journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, who questioned the role of National Security at the site. According to Captain Jabari, National Security’s operations in the area involve three distinct sites. The first site, allegedly operated by Chinese nationals, is no longer occupied by National Security personnel after they arrested several Chinese nationals who were later released due to valid work permits. The second site, an underground mine, is at the center of the controversy. Captain Jabari clarified that National Security operatives are not mining there but are securing the site after its closure. They are performing standard procedures like pumping out water and have requested legal documents from the operators, which were not provided. The third site, an open area, was a hotspot for illegal mining and environmental degradation. National Security successfully evacuated hundreds of illegal miners and halted further destruction. Captain Jabari labeled the claims of National Security seizing and operating the mine as “pure fabrications backed by no evidence.” The controversy surrounding the mine’s operation and ownership has sparked questions about the role of National Security and the legitimacy of mining activities in the area. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Inusah Fuseini Calls for State of Emergency on Mining
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has urged President Mahama to declare a state of emergency on mining in water bodies and forest reserves. Apexnewsgh reports Fuseini cited the escalating environmental damage and risks to public health and future generations as reasons for this drastic measure. He believes that declaring a state of emergency would enable the government to freeze all existing licenses and reclaim the affected areas. Fuseini emphasized that the level of degradation caused by illegal mining requires firm action. “When you declare a state of emergency, you freeze all rights. So the accrued rights are frozen, and then you can go into the forest to deal with the people who are there. We need to protect the environment,” he said. He warned that any delay could have severe repercussions for the Mahama administration. Fuseini stressed that the government’s response to illegal small-scale mining could become a defining issue of its tenure. “If there’s anything that will affect us as a government, more in this term of John Dramani Mahama, it will be our ability or inability to fight illegal small-scale mining,” he said. Fuseini highlighted the human impact of pollution, linking polluted rivers to increased kidney disease and birth defects. He warned of a potential health crisis if water bodies continue to deteriorate and urged Ghanaians to protect forests and rivers for present and future generations, invoking the principle of intergenerational equity. Fuseini reminded the NDC of its promise to declare a state of emergency and repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, allowing mining in forest reserves. He emphasized that fulfilling these promises is a matter of “moral integrity” and welcomed recent steps toward repealing the law. He urged the government to take swift action to prevent further demonstrations, saying, “The demonstration may not become necessary anymore.”