The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has sounded the alarm on the worsening effects of illegal mining, or galamsey, and called for decisive action from the government to combat the menace threatening Ghana's environment, water bodies, and national security.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by alarming reports from the Ghana Water Company Limited in August 2024, which revealed a severe decline in water quality.

Turbidity levels at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant spiked to an unprecedented 14,000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible level of 5 NTU.

In response, the broad coalition comprising media organisations, labour groups, civil society, traditional leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders united to form the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey and has been pushing for stronger anti-galamsey measures, including:

• The suspension of L.I. 2462, a regulation seen as enabling irresponsible mining.
• Deployment of 100 military officers to protect key water bodies.
• Arrests of illegal miners.
• Securing a public anti-galamsey pledge from eight presidential candidates during the December 2024 elections, including President John D. Mahama.

However, despite these efforts, the coalition notes a sharp increase in illegal mining activities since the elections. Perpetrators are reportedly taking advantage of perceived governmental inaction, worsening environmental degradation and posing threats to communities, as evidenced by recent tragic incidents in Ntrotroso and Obuasi.

Demands and Recommendations

The GCAG has formally called on President Mahama to take immediate and decisive action. Among their key demands are:

1. Declaration of a State of Emergency: Over Ghana’s water bodies to halt all mining activities and empower the military to clear illegal operations.
2. Halt Mining in Sensitive Areas: All concessions overlapping with river buffers or within 100 meters of rivers and streams should be immediately abrogated.
3. Preservation of Forest Reserves: Entry permits for mining in globally significant biodiversity areas must be revoked.
4. Repeal of L.I. 2462: The coalition insists that this regulation enabling certain mining practices must be repealed to prevent further environmental destruction.

The coalition emphasised the need for the government to implement the full force of the law, including Act 995, without bias based on political affiliations or social status.

Call for unified action

The GCAG has announced plans to intensify advocacy efforts in the coming weeks and urged all Ghanaians, political leaders, and stakeholders to remain united in the fight against galamsey.

“We commend the government for including galamsey in its first 120-day agenda, but the pace of action must match the urgency of the crisis,” said Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the GCAG.

The coalition reiterated its openness to discussions to resolve the issue, but stressed that decisive action is non-negotiable.

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey is a network of 10 stakeholder groups, including media, religious organisations, youth groups, academia, traditional leaders, and professional bodies, unified in their mission to end illegal and irresponsible mining through harmonised advocacy and social action.