Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, is set to intensify as the government prepares for a renewed military crackdown and mass deportation of foreign nationals involved in the activity.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reiterated the Mahama administration’s unwavering resolve to protect the country’s natural resources, especially water bodies and forest reserves, from the devastating impacts of illegal mining.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Lagos, Nigeria, the Minister disclosed that a new phase of operations is imminent.
“In the next few days, we’re going to round people up and prosecute them,” Ablakwa said, announcing a fresh military-led operation targeting illegal miners.
Silent Deportations Already Underway
He also revealed that several undocumented deportations of foreign illegal miners have already taken place, although the government has intentionally kept them out of the public eye.
“Already, a lot of deportations have been carried out. We’ve just not been advertising them,” he added.
The government’s strategy includes tracking and cracking down on repeat offenders, particularly those who return to previously cleared mining zones once security forces have withdrawn.
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A Call for Support Abroad
Ablakwa made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians living abroad, urging them to support the national campaign against illegal mining and report suspicious activity.
“President Mahama has said that he will not tolerate any form of mining in our river bodies or forest reserves,” he stated firmly.
The Minister expressed optimism that once the government’s measures take full effect, the turbidity of the country’s water bodies—which have been severely polluted by illegal mining—will begin to improve significantly.
The crackdown is part of a broader national effort to restore Ghana’s environmental integrity, safeguard water resources, and ensure responsible mineral exploitation in line with national laws.
