Academic City University has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illegal mining by convening the second edition of its flagship Unpacking Galamsey Symposium.

It was under the theme “Uncovering Treasures in Responsible Mining.”

It was aimed at deepening the national conversation on illegal mining and exploring practical solutions to address its impact on communities and the environment.

In attendance were academics, civil society actors, journalists and policymakers, who shared experiences, proposed ideas and designed actionable strategies. 

The panel included the General-Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Kofi Yeboah, Awula Serwah, Coordinator, Eco-Conscious Citizens, and the Director of Mining at the Environmental Protection Authority, Ing. Michael Ali.

Mr Yeboah highlighted the dangers journalists went through to bring out stories on galamsey, and called for the establishment of a dedicated fund for journalists to be well-resourced and protected in the line of duty.

Awula Serwah also stressed the importance of being well informed about issues concerning illegal mining to push the government to address the menace.

She was optimistic that galamsey could be eradicated if there was the political will to do so.

For his part, Mr Ali said that the EPA was doing its best to ensure the environment was protected. He, however, emphasised the need to protect their officers, particularly forest guards

In a speech read on her behalf, the CEO of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, said two major restoration projects were underway in the northern and southern parts of the country under the Ghana Large and Small-Scale Mining Restoration Initiative to rehabilitate lands affected by illegal mining and also promote biodiversity recovery.

She entreated traditional leaders to protect their lands, while urging the media to expose corrupt networks, and the youth to resist recruitment into illegal mining activities.

“Let us mine not just the gold beneath our soil, but the greatness within our values.

Our rivers and forests must be preserved for future generations,” Prof. Klutse added

Dr. Lucy Agyepong, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Academic City, noted that the university was proud to co-lead a growing national movement focused on inclusive, knowledge-driven approaches to responsible mining.

“Last year, we took a bold step to unpack the complex reality of galamsey — not just to speak about it, but to truly listen and understand the intersecting issues of poverty, governance, enforcement, and power,” Dr. Agyepong said.

“What emerged from that dialogue was a five-point action framework — covering policy reform, community empowerment, accountability, environmental restoration, and technology — and today, we move from dialogue to design,” she added.