Galamsey Battle Requires Continuous Action, Timelines are Unnecessary - Kwakye Ofosu

Accra, Ghana - 09 April, 2025 - Ghana's Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, is advocating for a sustained approach to combating illegal mining, or galamsey, rather than a short-term solution.

In a recent interview on Channel One TV, Kwakye Ofosu stressed that the government must take decisive and consistent action against illegal mining, emphasizing it's a continuous responsibility rather than a short-term campaign. "Every time that somebody plans to do galamsey and actually starts doing it, it is the duty of the state to fight it," he stressed.

According to him, this approach prioritizes visible action and demonstrable commitment over promises and timelines.

The Impact of Galamsey
Galamsey has caused significant damage to Ghana's environment, including water bodies, farmlands, and forest reserves. Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that completely eradicating illegal mining might be unrealistic, but believes that sustained vigilance and accountability can mitigate its effects.

“First of all, I’m not sure that a timeline is necessarily the conversation we should be having. I think it should be a lifelong activity,'' he stated.

A Call for Realistic Expectations
The government faces pressure to produce measurable results in the fight against galamsey. However, Kwakye Ofosu argues that setting fixed deadlines may not be the most effective approach. Instead, he advocates for a long-term commitment to combating illegal mining, focusing on tangible actions rather than promises.

“What matters is that people see demonstrable commitment to fighting it—such that today, if you’re engaged in galamsey, or I am doing galamsey, we would be stopped by the government and action would be taken against us.

Source: Lead News Online