Don't Blame us, Ghanaians are Complicit in Galamsey - Chinese Ambassador

Accra, Ghana - 21 June, 2025 - Ghana's galamsey crisis has sparked a diplomatic debate, with the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, pushing back against claims that Chinese nationals are the primary culprits behind the country's illegal small-scale mining scourge.

In a media briefing on Friday, June 20, Ambassador Defa argued that the narrative surrounding Chinese involvement in galamsey is misguided and oversimplified.

According to Ambassador Defa, Chinese individuals lack the legal authority to secure mining licenses in Ghana, and those caught in illegal mining are often workers recruited by Ghanaians.

He emphasized that the issue of galamsey is complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive and long-term policy framework to address its environmental and economic consequences.

“I do not know the reason why, when people say galamsey, they normally equate that to the Chinese. But actually, it is not Chinese. The issue does not originate from the Chinese. I mean, you can see those mining, the Chinese cannot get the license. It is the Ghanaian people who draw Chinese people over here, and the Chinese who are caught red-handed are just migrant workers who have come here and make a living.

“All the sectors, all the policies, we should work for a long-term policy on how to solve the problem to eliminate this pollution in waterbodies and in the forests. We should find a way to solve this problem in this country. To my understanding, you can never eliminate those small mines. These small mines have illegal activities involved in them,” he said.

The ambassador's comments come amid growing concerns about the impact of galamsey on Ghana's environment and economy. The practice has been linked to widespread deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation, with many Ghanaians calling for urgent action to address the issue.

Ambassador Defa's assertion that Ghanaians are often complicit in facilitating Chinese involvement in galamsey has sparked a nuanced discussion about the issue. While some have praised the ambassador's willingness to speak candidly about the issue, others have raised questions about the extent to which Chinese nationals are involved in galamsey and the role of Ghanaian authorities in regulating the industry.

Source: Lead News Online / Samuel Tano