Join the our panellists led by Samson Lardy Anyenini Saturday morning as Newsfile revisits the vexed fight against illegal mining or galamsey. Despite multiple task forces, military operations, and policy frameworks, illegal mining continues to plague Ghana’s environment, posing severe risks to water resources, agriculture, and communities. Currently, a new push led by the military, is underway to curb the menace.
And as the fight continues, the question remains whether the government can ultimately bring illegal mining under control and ensure the protection of the country’s natural resources. Listen and join the conversation as Samson files all the relevant questions.
Galamsey Fight Under Akufo-Addo: A Chronology of Events
Illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, has been a persistent environmental and socio-economic challenge in Ghana for decades. Under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the fight against galamsey became a central issue. Here’s a chronology of key events in the fight against galamsey during Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
1. Pre-Presidency: Campaign Promises (2016)
- 2016: During his campaign for the presidency, Nana Akufo-Addo made a commitment to tackle illegal mining (galamsey) and protect Ghana’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies and forests. He promised a comprehensive approach to solve the problem and safeguard the environment.
2. Early Action: Galamsey Task Force and Ban on Small-Scale Mining (2017)
- April 2017: After assuming office in January 2017, President Akufo-Addo initiated a nationwide fight against galamsey. The government imposed a six-month ban on all forms of small-scale mining, both legal and illegal, to curb the galamsey menace and to reform the sector.
- July 2017: The government formed the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), headed by then Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. The IMCIM was tasked with spearheading the fight against illegal mining and overseeing the reform of the small-scale mining sector.
- Operation Vanguard: A military-police task force known as Operation Vanguard was established to enforce the ban and clamp down on illegal miners. The task force began operations in several regions, including the Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regions, which were most affected by illegal mining.
3. Renewed Ban and Challenges (2018)
- March 2018: Despite the ban and the efforts of Operation Vanguard, reports indicated that illegal mining activities were continuing in some areas. In response, the government extended the ban on small-scale mining for an additional three months.
- June 2018: The government launched a framework for lifting the ban on small-scale mining called the “Roadmap for Lifting the Ban on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining.” This roadmap included measures such as the registration and training of small-scale miners, as well as the introduction of mining reforms aimed at making the sector more sustainable.
- Challenges with Operation Vanguard: Despite some initial successes, the effectiveness of Operation Vanguard was questioned as illegal mining continued in several areas. Reports of corruption within the task force, including allegations that some officers were taking bribes from illegal miners, tarnished the initiative.
4. Lifting of the Ban and the Return of Small-Scale Mining (2019)
- December 2018: The government officially lifted the ban on small-scale mining. Licensed small-scale miners were allowed to resume operations, provided they followed the new guidelines under the roadmap.
- 2019: The government introduced the Community Mining Scheme (CMS), a regulated framework intended to legalize and formalize small-scale mining in specific communities. The scheme aimed to provide employment while reducing the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
5. Renewed Galamsey Concerns and Missing Excavators Scandal (2020)
- Early 2020: Reports began to emerge of the return of illegal mining activities, despite the government’s efforts to curb galamsey. Many rivers, including the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra, remained heavily polluted.
- February 2020: A major scandal broke when Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, chair of the IMCIM, revealed that 500 excavators seized from illegal miners by Operation Vanguard had gone missing. This revelation sparked public outrage and led to accusations of corruption within the government’s galamsey fight.
- Investigations: The government launched investigations into the missing excavators, leading to the arrest of some individuals. However, the scandal cast a shadow over the government’s commitment to the galamsey fight, with many questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of the effort.
6. Election Year Pressures and Galamsey Intensification (2020)
- Mid-2020: As the 2020 general elections approached, reports indicated a resurgence of illegal mining activities in many areas. This was attributed to political pressures, as some politicians were accused of turning a blind eye to galamsey activities to secure votes in affected communities.
- December 2020: Nana Akufo-Addo won re-election, but the galamsey fight had become a highly politicized issue, with critics accusing the government of failing to stop illegal mining despite earlier promises.
7. Post-Election Efforts: Redoubling the Fight (2021)
- January 2021: President Akufo-Addo, in his second term, reiterated his commitment to ending galamsey. He emphasized that the government would continue its efforts to reform the small-scale mining sector and protect the environment.
- April 2021: The government relaunched its crackdown on galamsey with a new military task force known as Operation Halt. This task force, comprised of soldiers from the Ghana Armed Forces, was deployed to mining areas to dismantle illegal mining operations and seize equipment.
- Burning of Excavators: In a controversial move, Operation Halt began destroying equipment used in illegal mining, including excavators. Videos and photos of these machines being set on fire sparked public debate. While some praised the decisive action, others, including some small-scale miners, criticized it as excessive and damaging to livelihoods.
8. Calls for National Dialogue and Stakeholder Engagement (2022-2023)
- 2022: The galamsey issue continued to dominate national discourse, with calls for a broader national dialogue involving all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, politicians, miners, and environmental groups. The government held discussions to find sustainable solutions, but illegal mining persisted.
- October 2022: A National Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining was convened to address the ongoing challenges. The forum aimed to gather input from various stakeholders and to chart a path forward for sustainable mining practices.
- 2023: Despite government efforts, reports showed that illegal mining was still rampant in certain regions. The problem of river pollution persisted, with many rivers still in a dire state due to galamsey activities.
9. Current Situation (2024)
- 2024: As the issue of galamsey remains unresolved, the fight against illegal mining continues to be a major point of contention in Ghana. The environmental impacts, particularly on water bodies and forests, are severe. Many Ghanaians are demanding more effective action and greater accountability from both the government and law enforcement agencies.
- October 2024: With general elections approaching in December, the galamsey issue is once again a key campaign topic. Political parties and civil society groups are calling for stronger measures to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable development of the mining sector. The Technical Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), among others, has called for more decisive government action against galamsey, as the environmental crisis continues to threaten water bodies and food security.
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