1400 arrested for galamsey in eight months

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, says the government’s intensified fight against illegal mining has led to 1,400 arrests within the last eight months.

Speaking in a media interview, Mr Buah compared the figure to the 800 arrests recorded over nearly three years under the previous administration, insisting the current strategy is producing tangible results.

“We have seized 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans. We have mobilised Blue Water Guards in key regions, and they are making a difference,” he stated.

The Minister, however, stressed that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. He explained that the government is also creating sustainable alternatives for miners who want to operate legally.

“We are providing training and building capacity so that those interested in mining can work in partnership with large-scale mining companies,” he added.

Mr Buah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a balanced approach that safeguards the environment while opening up regulated opportunities in the mining sector.

Illegal small-scale mining, locally known as galamsey, has been one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges for over two decades.

While small-scale mining is legal under the country’s mining laws, many operators engage in unregulated practices that devastate farmlands, forests and water bodies.

The activities of galamseyers have led to the destruction of river systems, threatening drinking water supplies and aquatic life.

The environmental impact has been so severe that some communities now rely on expensive water treatment processes, while others face shortages.