Celebrated investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 20th edition of the Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture, scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Renowned for his fearless reporting on illegal mining — popularly known as galamsey — Erastus Asare Donkor’s groundbreaking investigations have exposed the devastating environmental and social impact of the menace, sparking nationwide debate and policy conversations.

This year’s lecture, titled “Galamsey: A Country’s Search for a Solution in Plain Sight,” will delve into why illegal mining continues to thrive despite numerous interventions by successive governments.

The address is expected to highlight the root causes of the crisis, particularly issues of governance, accountability, and the role of local communities in sustaining or curbing the practice.

Organisers say the lecture will offer a rare opportunity for evidence-based reflection and reform-oriented dialogue on one of Ghana’s most persistent governance challenges.

Instituted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture series provides a platform for critical national discourse on democracy, governance, and accountability.

This year’s edition promises to be one of the most compelling yet, as Ghana continues to grapple with the environmental destruction, corruption, and livelihood tensions fuelled by illegal mining.

The event will bring together policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, and members of the media to engage on practical solutions to an issue that continues to threaten the nation’s ecological and economic future.