Ghana’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey) has intensified as His excellency President John Dramani Mahama declared the environmental destruction from the activity a national emergency, while the Attorney-General has ordered an official investigation into two senior members of the opposition NPP over alleged involvement.
During a durbar on his ‘Thank You Tour’ of the Western North Region, Mahama voiced alarm at the devastation witnessed in Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso, attributing it largely to illegal mining operations.
“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency,” Mahama stated.
He pledged that the national anti-galamsey taskforce would intensify efforts to clamp down on mining in forest reserves and water bodies, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve the environment and protect communities.
In a separate but related development, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate two NDC party executives—Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin—following “recent credible reports” implicating them in illegal mining operations.
“I am directing your office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation, namely, Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin,” the Attorney-General wrote in a letter dated July 15.
The directive also empowers EOCO to probe any additional individuals found to be complicit in illegal mining activities.
These developments mark a significant escalation in Ghana’s anti-galamsey efforts, with both political leadership and law enforcement converging to tackle a crisis that has ravaged ecosystems, polluted water bodies, and sparked public outcry.
