Galamsey Poses Grave Threat to Ghana’s Energy Sector, Warns Parliament’s Energy Committee
Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has raised urgent alarms over the escalating damage from illegal mining, known as galamsey, to critical power infrastructure, describing it as a severe toll on the nation’s energy stability.
During a recent tour of key facilities, including the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on October 1, 2025, Deputy Ranking Member Collins Adomako-Mensah highlighted attacks on installations from the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and Bui Power Authority.
Adomako-Mensah detailed how galamsey operators are excavating around power pylons, risking collapses and widespread blackouts, while pollution is contaminating the Bui Dam’s water body, essential for hydroelectric generation.
“Galamsey is having a heavy, heavy toll on the energy sector, not just about water,” he stated, noting GRIDCo’s complaints about pylon damage and the Bui water situation’s rapid deterioration.
The committee also flagged encroachments on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAPCO) at the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) Tema gas plant as a “major national security concern,” potentially disrupting gas supplies from Nigeria and endangering VRA operations.
These threats compound earlier warnings from GRIDCo during the committee’s September 2025 visits, where management lamented galamsey’s impact on transmission lines, including excavations near high-voltage pylons that could cause fatal accidents or nationwide outages.
Despite these challenges, the committee commended the current energy stability, attributing it to strong performances by VRA and GRIDCo, with generation capacity at 4,048 MW exceeding peak demand of 3,077 MW. MP for Yilo Krobo, Albert Nyarkotey Tetteh, praised VRA: “When it comes to power, I will say that the power is stable… VRA is doing very well.” However, he urged greater government investment to sustain gains and protect against galamsey’s encroachment.
The Energy Committee’s oversight role includes probing MDAs, examining energy legislation, and addressing referrals. Amid broader galamsey impacts—like water shortages and environmental degradation—these findings underscore calls for
