The government’s war against illegal mining (galamsey) has reached a critical phase, with more than 600 suspects currently standing trial for their alleged involvement in the illicit activity, according to the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine.

Addressing a high-level stakeholder forum on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the Attorney General’s Department is actively handling prosecutions arising from 65 separate dockets, many of which involve multiple defendants.

“Currently, we have initiated prosecutions in 65 dockets, and there is a difference. When we say 65 dockets, it is not 65 individual persons who are being prosecuted,” Dr. Ayine clarified, highlighting the scale and complexity of the cases before the courts.

The Attorney-General provided further insight, revealing that some dockets cover as many as 10 or more accused persons, with one notable case in the Western North Region involving the prosecution of 28 suspects under a single charge sheet.

“By my calculation, the 65 dockets contain about 600 illegal miners that are being prosecuted,” he stated.

A National Emergency

Galamsey remains one of the most pressing environmental and social challenges confronting Ghana today.

According to statistics from the Water Resources Commission, illegal mining activities have led to the destruction of over 50,000 hectares of forest and the contamination of key rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines estimates that illegal mining accounts for about 30% of the country’s total gold output, yet it has cost the government millions in lost revenue and triggered widespread environmental damage.

The devastation is not limited to the environment. A 2022 report from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources indicated that over 70% of rural communities in mining areas now rely on water tankers due to the alarming levels of pollution in local water bodies—a direct consequence of unregulated mining operations.

Government Steps Up Legal Action

The ongoing prosecutions signal a renewed determination by the state to tackle illegal mining through the courts, following years of criticism about weak enforcement and low conviction rates.

Dr. Ayine used the forum to reiterate the government’s resolve to strengthen investigative processes and close longstanding legal loopholes.

“We are committed to improving investigative processes and closing legal loopholes that have historically allowed illegal mining suspects to evade conviction,” Dr. Ayine told the gathering, which included chiefs, civil society leaders, security officials, and mining sector stakeholders.

Collaborative Fight Ahead

President John Dramani Mahama, who convened the forum, has described the fight against galamsey as a national emergency, calling for a multi-sectoral approach that blends law enforcement, community engagement, and responsible mining practices.

As the legal battles unfold, the Attorney General’s Department is expected to work closely with the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies to ensure that prosecutions are robust and deterrent.

With over 600 accused persons now before the courts, the coming months will be a crucial test of the government’s resolve to bring illegal mining under control and restore Ghana’s degraded lands and waterways.