The Legal Green Association (LGA), a left-wing association of professional law students, has proposed interventions on illegal mining (galamsey) via an open letter to the Office of the President ahead of the government’s scheduled engagement with civil society organisations on illegal mining.

While the association acknowledges the constitutional mandate vested in the state to safeguard Ghana’s mineral resources and natural environment on behalf of the people, as outlined in Articles 257(6) and 36(9) of the 1992 Constitution, it highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions that balance the economic aspirations of mining communities with the protection of national resources for posterity.

The association notes that, while communities across Ghana derive legitimate economic benefits from their natural resources—such as fishing in coastal towns or salt mining in Ada—gold-rich communities often turn to small-scale mining with or without state authorisation, which has created a long-standing challenge for successive governments in curbing illegal mining without undermining livelihoods.

LGA commends the government’s current shift towards sustainable mining initiatives rather than outright prohibition, and submits recommendations aimed at fostering responsible mining practices, promoting environmental stewardship, and empowering local communities.

Key Recommendations

1. Green Mining Technologies
   • Launch a national campaign: “Towards Sustainable Mining”.
   • Promote adoption of eco-friendly technologies to reduce environmental harm.
2. Water Purification/Treatment Dams
   • Invest in purification dams along rivers most affected by mining.
   • Support Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in mitigating pollution.
3. Polluter Pays Principle
   • Enforce financial responsibility for all actors contributing to environmental degradation.
   • Introduce a mandatory Environmental Levy to fund a Small-Scale Mining Fund (SSMF) for:
     • Land reclamation & reforestation.
     • Water purification projects.
     • Tax waivers & subsidies for eco-friendly operators.
     • Incentives for sustainable mining practices.
4. Regional Sustainable Mining Training Centres
   • Establish centres to educate miners on responsible techniques.
   • Make Community Mining Agreements (CMAs) compulsory for licences.
   • Introduce a Green Mining Certificate as a requirement for mining approval.
5. Monitoring & Enforcement
   • Enhance surveillance using GPS mapping, drone technology, and annual audits.
   • Ensure compliance with backfilling, re-vegetation, and land-use zoning rules.
   • Strengthen local involvement in monitoring and benefit-sharing.

Below is the full letter to the Office of the President.