In a concerted effort to combat illegal mining, security agencies have arrested 1,486 individuals involved in illegal mining activities across the country in 2025. The anti-galamsey operations, conducted from January 7 to November 30, led to the seizure of 443 excavators, 11 bulldozers, and other mining equipment.
Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, the Director of Communications for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, disclosed that the operations also resulted in the confiscation of significant materials, including 86 pump-action guns, 31 motorbikes, 14 vehicles, and 1,200 pumping machines. In addition, 36 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and several washing boards used in the illegal mining process were also seized.
She also highlighted an attempted bribe of GH¢234,000 offered to security agencies during the operations, which was intercepted.
“These operations have not only resulted in arrests and seizures but also in job creation. Over the past 11 months, about 2,000 direct jobs have been created through initiatives like the Blue Water Guards, mine repositories, forest guards, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS),” Ms. Mawuenyefia shared in an interview monitored by *The Ghana Report*.
The government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, particularly in the country’s water bodies and forests, has been marked by various measures introduced throughout 2025. One of the key actions taken was the indefinite revocation of small-scale mining licenses issued after the December 2024 elections. A technical committee was also set up to review all existing small-scale mining licenses, with the aim of purging the sector of illegal activities.
Moreover, a program to register and monitor all excavators within the country, including those entering from abroad, was initiated. The government also launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to promote responsible mining practices.
Ms. Mawuenyefia acknowledged that while the fight against galamsey has not been completely won, significant strides have been made under President Mahama's leadership. She emphasized that the government remains committed to the long-term restoration of the country's water bodies and forest reserves, which have been severely impacted by illegal mining.
“While the rivers that were heavily polluted when this government took office have not yet fully cleared, and our forest reserves are still under threat from illegal mining, we have made tangible progress in mitigating the damage,” she noted.
She assured Ghanaians that the government will continue its relentless efforts to pursue those responsible for the galamsey crisis until the nation’s environmental resources are fully restored.
Source: TheGhanaReport.com
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