JoyNews will today Thursday, February 12, 2026, host a national dialogue examining whether Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) represent the weakest link in Ghana's fight against illegal mining.

The discussion, themed "A Tax for Galamsey: MMDCEs, Weakest Link in Fight Against Galamsey?", will air at 6:00 PM across multiple Joy platforms, including Joy FM (99.7), JoyNews TV, JoyOnline, GOtv Channel 125, and DSTV Channel 421.

The dialogue comes in the wake of a damning JoyNews Hotline Documentary exposé that uncovered allegations of district assemblies in mining communities collecting fees from operators of banned mining equipment, effectively creating a "galamsey tax" system.

The programme will scrutinise the role of MMDCEs and district assemblies in either combating or facilitating illegal mining activities at the local level, where enforcement is most critical but often most compromised.

The dialogue also comes just days after President John Dramani Mahama directed the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, to investigate allegations that the Amansie Central District Assembly has been collecting GH₢6,000 annually from operators of prohibited changfang machines.

The Amansie Central Assembly has defended the revenue collection as a longstanding practice based on a 2008 bylaw, insisting all funds are properly banked and used for district operations.

The JoyNews National Dialogue series has become a platform for addressing critical national issues, bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to examine pressing challenges facing the country.

Viewers can participate in the dialogue through social media using the hashtag accompanying the broadcast, and by tuning in across Joy's multimedia platforms.

The discussion is expected to generate recommendations on strengthening the local government's role in the fight against illegal mining while addressing revenue challenges that may drive assemblies to seek funding from questionable sources.