A coalition of 93 professional bodies and concerned citizens has called on the government to urgently revoke Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, declare a state of emergency in illegal mining zones, and take decisive action against politically connected individuals involved in illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
While acknowledging recent efforts by President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to combat illegal mining, the coalition expressed alarm over what it described as weak enforcement measures and the government’s delay in fulfilling its promise to revoke LI 2462.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the convenor, Engineer Kenneth Ashigbey, reminded the government of its repeated commitments to revoke LI 2462—regulations that effectively opened Ghana’s forest reserves to mining.
According to him, statements by the President, ministers, and senior advisers consistently assured Ghanaians that the regulation would be revoked entirely, not amended.
“We, as a coalition, express disappointment that Parliament has yet to act on the LI, which reflects a lack of commitment. We reject any attempt to amend the regulation to suit vested interests. The only acceptable path forward is full revocation, in order to protect Ghana’s forests and ecosystems for future generations,” he stated.
The coalition raised red flags about the alleged complicity of some police officers in shielding illegal mining operations, particularly those involving foreign nationals. They cited instances where law enforcement officers were reportedly protecting Chinese nationals engaged in galamsey.
They called for a transparent investigation, and the immediate interdiction and prosecution of all complicit officers. They also urged the Interior Ministry and the IGP to publish the list of all police transfers from galamsey-affected zones, as previously promised.
Additionally, the coalition stressed the need to protect Forestry Commission officers, who face growing threats and violence—including off-duty attacks—by illegal mining operators.
Following the widely reported June 5 attack on Dr. Hannah Bissiw during an illegal mining raid, the coalition renewed its call for a state of emergency in high-risk mining areas. They described illegal mining zones as breeding grounds for armed mercenaries and called for military deployment, drone surveillance, and asset freezes as part of a comprehensive response.
The coalition welcomed the arrest of the Director of Akonta Mining Limited, Bernard Antwi Bosiako (also known as Wontumi), but demanded the full prosecution of all directors and beneficial owners of the company.
They also called for progress in the unresolved case involving the MP for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, and investigations into fresh reports implicating NDC constituency chairpersons in Axim and Dunkwa. The coalition demanded full transparency, the removal of political interference, and a national response devoid of partisanship.
They noted that politically exposed persons named in the Professor Frimpong-Boateng report must be prosecuted with the same urgency as lower-level offenders. The coalition stressed that illegal mining is not only carried out by youth in the pits but orchestrated by powerful figures behind the scenes.
They also criticized attempts to justify illegal mining as a solution to unemployment or revenue challenges, insisting that national survival and environmental protection must take precedence.
The coalition urged the President to fulfill his promises and take bold action to dismantle the political networks behind galamsey. They warned that failure to act would not only endanger the environment but also undermine democracy and national security.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
