Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, has stirred national controversy by asserting that Ghana “can never eliminate” illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, and must instead find ways to manage its environmental impact.

Addressing journalists at a media interaction held at his private residence in Accra on Thursday, June 19, the envoy blamed Ghanaians—not Chinese nationals—for the deepening galamsey crisis, insisting that locals are the ones facilitating the illegal activities.

“To my understanding, in this country, you can never eliminate those small mines. Those mines, you will have illegalities involved in them,” he said. “We need to find ways to solve this problem… The government needs to work on a policy to eliminate the pollution of waters and forests.”

The ambassador’s comments come amid renewed national outrage over the environmental devastation caused by galamsey. Civil society groups, including the Ghana Coalition Against Illegal Mining, have called for stronger action against financiers and political actors behind the illegal trade.

Ambassador Defa dismissed the common perception that Chinese nationals are at the centre of illegal mining operations in Ghana. “I don’t understand why when people say galamsey, they equate it to Chinese,” he stressed.

“Actually, it is not Chinese. It didn’t originate from China. Chinese nationals cannot obtain licences or get permits. It is the Ghanaian people who throw the Chinese people over here.”

He suggested that many of the Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining were migrant labourers, brought into Ghana by locals looking to exploit the mining sector for quick financial gain.

“Some of those who were caught red-handed are just migrant workers… I have a social media and when I post on X, people tag me with galamsey as if galamsey is caused by China. It is unfair to me. It is really unfair to me and to the majority of Chinese,” he lamented.

Ambassador Defa further highlighted the significant role Chinese companies play in Ghana’s infrastructure development.

“A lot of your projects are built by Chinese companies. Your roads, your ports, etc., are built by Chinese companies. Do any normal Ghanaian people know about this?” he asked.

His remarks are expected to fuel an already heated national debate on foreign involvement in Ghana’s illegal mining sector and the government's enforcement efforts.