CSO Alliance Calls for Presidential Directive by John Mahama to Ban Illegal Mining
The Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Alliance, comprising four coalitions and eight organizations operating in Ghana’s extractives and environmental governance sectors, has called on President John Mahama to make a definitive declaration banning illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The CSO Alliance in a press conference held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, urged President Mahama to undertake the following;
- Issue a bold directive to halt all illegal mining activities immediately to deter those who defy the law.
- Repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462) and enhance enforcement of existing mining laws.
- Empower District and Regional Security Councils (DISEC and REGSEC) to
enforce bans effectively at the local level. - Expedite prosecution of illegal miners by getting the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to establish a special court to fast track illegal mining cases.
Speaking at the press conference, Chairman of the CSO Alliance, Dr. Steve Manteaw, emphasized the need for a strong and clear directive from the president to sustain the fight against illegal mining and associated corruption.
“We call on the president to make a bold statement or issue a directive with respect to sustaining the fight against galamsey. Such a declaration would send a strong signal that Ghana is serious about addressing this issue and repairing the damaged environment for future generations,” Dr. Manteaw stated.
The chairman also highlighted the risk of political interference and corruption in the allocation of mining licenses, stressing that rent-seeking activities often underlie these processes. He urged the government to adopt stringent anti-corruption measures and ensure transparency in mining operations.
“Linked to the galamsey fight is the risk of corruption. We know there are often rent-seeking and corrupt activities that underpin the allocation of licenses. The government must issue a bold statement on how it intends to combat corruption, including in mining license allocation,” Dr. Manteaw added.
He reiterated the Alliance’s commitment to collaborating with the government to ensure sustainable environmental practices and governance reforms.
“We will continue to engage the government, offer alternatives, and support its efforts as long as it does not betray our trust. It’s a long haul, and we are prepared for it,” Dr. Manteaw assured.
The CSO Alliance’s demands come amid heightened public concern over the environmental and socio-economic impact of galamsey activities, which have polluted water bodies and devastated arable lands across the country.
