The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has called for a fundamental shift in how Ghana approaches its battle against illegal mining (galamsey), stressing that the fight requires sustained, unending commitment rather than time-bound campaigns. Apexnewsgh reports
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face program on Tuesday, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed the notion of setting rigid deadlines to eradicate galamsey, arguing that illegal mining will always resurface if vigilance wavers.
“The conversation shouldn’t be about timelines. Combating galamsey must be a continuous, lifelong responsibility of the state,” he asserted. “We must accept that there will always be those who try to exploit our resources illegally—our duty is to stop them every single time.”
His remarks come amid growing public frustration over the persistent destruction of water bodies, forests, and farmlands by illegal miners, despite numerous government interventions.
Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that Ghanaians are tired of empty assurances and want visible, decisive enforcement.
“What matters is that people see real action—whenever someone engages in galamsey, they must face immediate consequences. That’s the commitment the public expects, not unrealistic pledges like, ‘We’ll end it in two months,’” he emphasized.
He stressed that only consistent enforcement, stronger monitoring, and community involvement can gradually reduce the menace.
While the government has deployed military task forces and high-tech monitoring systems, Kwakye Ofosu’s comments suggest a shift toward sustained policy rather than temporary crackdowns.
Civil society groups, however, remain skeptical, demanding more transparency in anti-galamsey operations and stiffer penalties for offenders, including public officials involved in the trade.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
