Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced a renewed and uncompromising government campaign to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that mining in river bodies and forest reserves will soon be completely banned.
Speaking to the Ghanaian community in Belgium during her official visit to Brussels for the 2025 Global Gateway Forum, the Vice President said government was taking decisive steps to protect the environment and restore the country’s water bodies.
“We’ve been mining gold forever. How come all of a sudden, all our water bodies are polluted?” she questioned, describing the situation as unacceptable and unsustainable.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that government was finalizing measures to prohibit mining in all water bodies and forest reserves, emphasizing that environmental preservation would remain a national priority.
She noted that programmes such as the Adwumawura Initiative and the 24-Hour Economy Policy were designed to expand job opportunities locally and abroad, creating viable alternatives to illegal mining.
The Vice President also urged Ghanaians in the diaspora to support national development efforts, encourage their children to maintain discipline and project a positive image of Ghana abroad.
In a related development, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, revealed that government is reviewing 2,167 mining licenses issued between 2017 and 2024, a sharp increase compared to only 88 permits granted between 1988 and 2016.
“Some of these licenses were issued under questionable circumstances,” he said, adding that persons found culpable in illegal mining operations would face prosecution.
Chairman of the Ghanaian Council in Belgium, Kwaku Boamah, conveyed the community’s concerns over high import duties at Ghana’s ports and the recent ban on certain food products from Ghana into the European market due to pesticide contamination.
“This ban is blocking a big market for our agricultural exports,” he said, urging government to act on the issue, as promised during the campaign.
In her response, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang assured the community that their concerns had been duly noted and would be presented to cabinet for immediate attention.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is in Brussels representing Ghana at the 2025 Global Gateway Forum, a high-level event focusing on sustainable partnerships and green economic growth.
Story: Nancy Obimpeh
