President Mahama Declares Galamsey a National Emergency, Orders Crackdown on Rogue Taskforces
On July 15, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama declared illegal mining, known as galamsey, a national emergency during a durbar in the Western North Region as part of his ‘Thank You Tour.’
Addressing communities in Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso, he expressed alarm over the severe environmental devastation caused by galamsey, which has destroyed forest reserves, farmlands, and water bodies, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Tano rivers.
“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency,” Mahama stated, as reported by GhanaWeb and CitiNewsroom.
Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying the national anti-galamsey taskforce’s efforts to halt illegal mining activities in forest reserves and on water bodies, where mercury use has polluted 65% of Ghana’s water sources, per a 2024 Water Resources Commission report.
He also condemned rogue anti-galamsey taskforces extorting money from licensed small-scale miners, announcing a crackdown on such groups. “I have requested the authorities to arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in this illegal anti-galamsey activity,” he warned, emphasizing accountability.
The declaration follows a surge in galamsey-related destruction, with 2024 satellite imagery showing over 40% of Western North’s forest cover degraded, costing Ghana an estimated $500 million annually in environmental damage (per a 2023 Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative report).
Mahama’s administration, which launched Operation Recover All Loot, aims to balance economic contributions from legal mining—accounting for 7% of GDP in 2024—with environmental protection.
The President’s directive includes deploying security forces and coordinating with the Minerals Commission to regulate small-scale mining and prosecute offenders.
