SEND Ghana has urged the government to take bolder steps in addressing illegal mining (galamsey) following the presentation of the 2025 budget, expressing concerns that current efforts may fall short in tackling the crisis.

The organisation stated that the government has allocated funds to dredge rivers affected by galamsey to ensure access to clean drinking water.

While SEND Ghana acknowledges this as a positive step, the organisation has raised concerns over the budget’s lack of explicit measures to combat galamsey itself.

"Illegal mining directly impacts the cost of producing potable water and worsens unhygienic conditions due to pollution," the organisation stated in its preliminary assessment of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. "The budget appears silent on addressing the root causes of galamsey, and without stricter enforcement and preventive measures, the problem will persist."

The group also questioned the adequacy of the GH¢1 billion allocation to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works, and Housing for the dredging of rivers, including the Volta, Pra, and Birim.

"We are skeptical about whether the budget allocation of less than GH¢1 billion to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing will be sufficient to clean rivers such as the Volta, Pra, and Birim, thereby ensuring access to clean water for people, especially those living in areas affected by galamsey."

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