Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey Amplifies Efforts Amid Escalating Crisis

The urgent need to combat the galamsey menace has taken center stage following alarming revelations by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in August 2024. The GWCL reported unprecedented water turbidity levels of 14,000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s permissible limit of 5 NTU for processing.

In response to the escalating crisis, September 2024 witnessed the formation of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG), a unified body comprising the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, civil society groups, labor organizations, academia, faith-based organizations, youth groups, and other stakeholders. The Coalition’s collective advocacy prompted critical government interventions, including the suspension of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, deployment of 100 military officers to protect water bodies, and a public commitment by eight presidential candidates,among them, His Excellency President John D. Mahama,to combat galamsey.

Despite these efforts, the post-election period has seen a resurgence of illegal mining activities, with galamsey operators exploiting perceived government inaction. Tragic incidents in Ntrotroso and Obuasi in recent weeks underscore the gravity of the situation, which now poses a significant threat to national security.

Call for Immediate Action

While the government has mentioned galamsey in its first 120-day agenda, the GCAG has expressed concerns about the pace of action. In a formal letter to President Mahama, the Coalition has called for decisive measures, including an immediate cease-and-desist order to all illegal miners and regulatory bodies.

GCAGs Key Demands includ;

Declaration of a State of Emergency: Immediate deployment of the military to clear all illegal mining activities on water bodies, which are already protected under existing laws.

Abrogation of Overlapping Mining Concessions: The Coalition insists that all concessions encroaching on river buffers must be canceled, and mining activities within 100 meters of water bodies halted.

Revocation of Permits in Forest Reserves: Entry permits for mining in globally significant biodiversity areas (GSBAs) must be withdrawn to safeguard critical water sources.

Repeal of L.I. 2462: The Coalition maintains that this legislative instrument undermines efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources and must be repealed immediately.

The Coalition has pledged to ramp up its advocacy in the coming weeks and has urged Ghanaians to remain resolute in the fight against illegal mining. “The time for action is now,” said Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the GCAG. “Galamsey is an existential threat, and our collective commitment is crucial to safeguarding our environment and national security.”

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) is a network of coalitions and organizations representing 10 stakeholder groups, including the media, academia, civil society, professional bodies, and traditional leaders. Its mission is to harmonize advocacy efforts and promote unified action against illegal and irresponsible mining practices.

Last Updated on May 12, 2025 by samboad