The Minority Caucus in Parliament has cautioned President John Dramani Mahama that illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, now poses a grave threat to Ghana’s environment and democratic governance.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, following a meeting between the President and Parliamentary leadership at Jubilee House
Describing the situation as a “clear and present danger” to national stability, the Minority said environmental destruction linked to galamsey has escalated sharply since January 2025.
The statement cited reports from Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which revealed high concentrations of toxic metals contaminating water bodies and soils in small-scale mining communities. It also referenced verified data from A Rocha Ghana and Global Forest Watch, indicating a significant rise in river turbidity and forest cover loss.
The Caucus further accused the Ghana Minerals and Oil Board (GoldBod) of indirectly legitimising illegal mining through weak gold traceability systems.
“The absence of a rigorous chain-of-custody framework risks turning the state into a formal buyer of illegally mined gold, effectively endorsing environmental destruction,” the statement warned.
Questioning the effectiveness of the Blue Water Guards, the Minority urged President Mahama to pursue fundamental reforms at GoldBod, stressing that “Ghana must not become a state-sponsored conduit for illegal gold.”
