Legal practitioner and public interest advocate Eric Adjei has called for a united, non-partisan national approach to tackling illegal mining, warning that the menace is becoming a “pandemic” that threatens Ghana’s natural resources.

Speaking at the Ghana–UK Policy Summit, Mr Adjei expressed concern about the scale of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and said addressing the problem must transcend partisan politics.

“Galamsey is becoming a pandemic in Ghana,” he said, adding that “we need a united front as a nation to fight it and protect the country’s natural resources.”

He warned that the impact of illegal mining extends beyond environmental degradation, with consequences for public health, food security, agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.

Over the years, illegal mining activities have caused extensive damage to water bodies, forest reserves and agricultural lands across several mining communities.

Major rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra and Birim, have been severely affected by mining-related pollution, raising concerns about access to safe water and increasing the cost of water treatment.

Mr Adjei maintained that efforts to tackle the menace would be more effective if all key stakeholders worked together rather than allowing the issue to become entangled in partisan politics.

His call places responsibility not only on the government but also on traditional authorities, civil society organisations, security agencies, political parties and communities to support a coordinated and sustained response to the problem.

Successive governments have introduced various measures to combat illegal mining, but concerns remain over enforcement and the continued destruction of the environment.

Mr Adjei's comments reinforce calls for a long-term national strategy capable of surviving changes in political administration and ensuring that the protection of Ghana’s natural resources takes precedence over short-term economic interests.

The Ghana–UK Policy Summit provides a platform for policy dialogue on issues affecting Ghana’s development, with the discussion on galamsey highlighting the continuing concern over the country's environmental degradation.