By: Sarah Baafi
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) communication team, Julius Kwame Anthony, has pushed back against claims that the fight against illegal mining is failing under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, insisting that the government is making steady and strategic progress.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Mr. Anthony acknowledged concerns raised by a coalition of groups demanding stronger action against galamsey but argued that the issue is more complex than it appears.
He pointed to the successful reclamation of forest reserves previously taken over by illegal miners as a key achievement, noting that some areas once considered “no-go zones” have now been brought back under state control.
According to him, the destruction caused by galamsey poses a serious threat not only to water bodies but also to agriculture, making the recovery of such lands critical to Ghana’s long-term food security.
Mr. Anthony, however, emphasized that the fight cannot be won through force alone.
He explained that while security interventions can reclaim lands, they do not address the underlying drivers of illegal mining, particularly the economic motivations and perceptions among local communities.
“There is a sense of entitlement among some people who believe the country’s natural resources should directly benefit them,” he noted, adding that the dominance of foreign companies in large-scale mining has contributed to this perception.
To address this, he said the government is prioritizing a regulated community mining scheme designed to bring small-scale miners into the legal framework.
The initiative, he explained, will allow authorities to properly license and monitor local miners while enforcing environmental standards.
“The ultimate goal is not to drive people away from mining, but to ensure that it is done legally and sustainably,” he stated.
Mr. Anthony also admitted that earlier expectations about quickly resolving the galamsey crisis may have been overly optimistic, stressing that the problem is deeply rooted and requires a long-term approach.
Despite mounting criticism, he maintained that the current administration is on the right path, combining enforcement with policy reforms aimed at creating inclusive and environmentally responsible mining practices.
The comments come amid increasing pressure from civil society groups urging the government to intensify its efforts and deliver more decisive results in the fight against illegal mining.
