President Mahama Warns New Ministers Against Involvement in Illegal Mining, Moves to Revoke Forest Mining Leases
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to newly appointed ministers, cautioning them against any involvement in illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 14 new ministers on Thursday, January 30, 2025, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating illegal mining and announced plans to convene stakeholder consultations to develop a national strategy on the issue.
“No member of this government is allowed to participate in any form of small-scale mining or galamsey. Anyone found engaging in such activities will face swift and severe consequences,” the President stated.
In a significant policy shift, Mahama also disclosed that the government intends to revoke all mining leases granted under the previous administration for operations in forest reserves. This decision aligns with broader efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources and mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
He emphasized that immediate steps would be taken to halt mining activities in ecologically sensitive areas and warned that legal action would be pursued against violators.
The government’s renewed focus on tackling illegal mining comes amid growing concerns over deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation attributed to unregulated mining activities.
