The Director of Field Operations for the United Party, Hopeson Adorye, has backed a proposal to halt all small-scale mining for one year as a decisive step to tackle illegal mining, insisting that such a move could help restore degraded lands and polluted water bodies.

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Tuesday, March 31, Mr Adorye said while the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) is making some progress, a more drastic and structured intervention is needed to deal with the scale of the galamsey crisis.

“I think they are doing a good job,” he said of NAIMOS, but quickly pointed to what he believes is a more effective long-term solution. “If this government wants to do something substantial in the fight against galamsey, they should visit the GTP by Alan Kojo Kyerematen.”

He was referring to a proposal by former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, which suggests a temporary but total suspension of small-scale mining activities excluding major companies like Gold Fields while redirecting miners into land reclamation efforts.

According to Mr Adorye, the approach would not only halt environmental destruction but also provide alternative livelihoods for those engaged in illegal mining. “No matter what, apart from the giants… all other miners should be put to a halt. One complete year,” he explained.

He added that under the plan, government would employ the same miners to rehabilitate degraded lands, paying them daily wages comparable to what they earn from mining. “Government says, ‘Okay, I’m going to pay you that money. Don’t go and dig. Let us plant trees,’” he said.

Mr Adorye stressed that this intervention could reverse the damage caused to water bodies across the country. “By that time, you reclaim the land. I mean, the water bodies too will resurrect. The dead water bodies will resurrect,” he stated.

He further explained that after the one-year moratorium, the sector could be reopened under stricter regulations, including proper vetting, licensing, and mandatory training for miners to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

His comments come at a time when pressure is mounting on government to scale up efforts against illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forests and water resources.

Stakeholders in Ghana, led prominently by the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining and figures like Ing Kenneth Ashigbey, are calling for a significant increase in funding and logistical support for NAIMOS. While the secretariat has reportedly seized nearly 100 excavators, this figure remains small compared to the estimated 7,000 machines still operating illegally.

Civil society organisations, including A Rocha Ghana, have also proposed alternative funding strategies to strengthen the fight. These include diverting a portion of Ghana Gold Board proceeds to NAIMOS and auctioning seized equipment to fund enforcement activities.

Beyond funding, stakeholders are advocating the deployment of advanced technology such as drones and satellite surveillance to monitor the 22 identified illegal mining hotspots, reducing risks to personnel on the ground.

Operational difficulties continue to hamper NAIMOS efforts, with reports of frequent vehicle breakdowns in forest reserves and calls for specialised all-terrain equipment and air support. There are also concerns about political interference and the influence of powerful individuals allegedly undermining enforcement.

Advocates argue that granting NAIMOS full financial and operational independence could help sustain gains made so far and ensure a more coordinated and effective crackdown on illegal mining.