The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has challenged the government's assertion that the "era of impunity is over" in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), insisting that persistent lawlessness across several mining hotspots demonstrates that the battle against galamsey is far from won.

In a press statement issued in Accra on Monday, July 20, the coalition acknowledged what it described as genuine progress made by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources but maintained that enforcement remained inconsistent and insufficient to protect the country's forests, rivers and mining communities.

It argued that effective environmental protection required sustained and impartial law enforcement rather than periodic public briefings.

"Ghana's forests, rivers and mining communities are not protected by press briefings. They are protected by sustained, fearless and uniform enforcement, applied equally in every region, against every excavator, and irrespective of whose interests stand in the way," the statement said.

Achimota Forest decision welcomed

The coalition commended the government for revoking Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, which had degazetted portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve, describing the Cabinet decision as a bold step towards safeguarding one of Accra's key ecological assets.

It also praised the Attorney-General for withdrawing charges against the "Atronsu Five" and urged the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure justice in the murder of 13-year-old Pious Nketia Nkansah.

Forests still under threat

Despite acknowledging efforts to clear illegal miners from forest reserve "red zones", the coalition said Ghana's forests remain under severe pressure from illegal mining.

It cited the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Cape Three Points, Afao Hills Forest Reserve and the Draw River Forest Reserve as areas still facing significant threats.

CAGG called for increased resources for the Forestry Commission, the establishment of protected camps in forest reserves and renewed efforts to fulfil the government's pledge to convert the Atewa Forest into a national park.

'Evidence of impunity remains'

The coalition strongly disagreed with the Ministry's conclusion that impunity had ended, pointing to continuing illegal mining activities in parts of the Eastern, Ashanti, Bono and Western regions.

It cited ongoing illegal mining around the Birim, Densu and Ayensu river basins, activities near the Bui Hydroelectric Dam, mining around Lake Bosomtwe and operations in the Ahwiren wetlands as evidence that illegal mining continues largely unchecked.

The coalition questioned what it described as perceived selective enforcement in some regions and called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure those implicated in illegal mining offences are investigated and prosecuted without fear or favour.

Concerns over NAIMOS

CAGG also raised concerns about the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

While acknowledging the secretariat's record of more than 200 operations, the coalition said allegations of selective enforcement and reports that seized equipment may have been returned to offenders after payments required urgent investigation.

It urged NAIMOS to publicly address the allegations and improve accountability by publishing details of its complaints mechanism and actions taken on public reports.

Police, MMDAs urged to intensify enforcement

The coalition further criticised what it described as weak enforcement by sections of the Ghana Police Service, arguing that deploying more Blue Water Guards alone would not curb illegal mining unless reports received from the field resulted in swift enforcement action.

It called for stricter supervision of police commanders in mining areas, stronger action against underperforming officers and tighter controls on the movement of excavators and the sale of fuel to illegal mining operators.

Call for broader reforms

CAGG welcomed government's plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), but stressed that any revised law must include stronger safeguards for forests, water bodies and mining communities.

It also called for the publication of the Constitutional Review Committee's report, the prosecution of alleged illegal mining kingpins, greater transparency in environmental governance and regular publication of water quality, forest status and prosecution reports.

The coalition said it remained ready to work with government to strengthen environmental governance but warned that failure to decisively tackle illegal mining would have long-term consequences.

"We either deal with this menace or we perish, because without clean water, clean air and standing forests, we are done as a people."