By Frederica Mensah and Desmond Cudjoe
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has held a Western Regional Validation and Dialogue Workshop in Takoradi aimed at developing a unified national policy plan to address illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, warned that illegal mining has evolved into a complex political and economic ecosystem, making it increasingly difficult to tackle.
According to him, galamsey is no longer just an environmental issue but one that shapes land access, labour relations, and community safety.
He made these remarks at the workshop on the Safety and Security Ecosystem of Illegal Mining in Ghana, organized by KAIPTC in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Ghana. The event formed part of ongoing efforts to promote informed dialogue, strengthen policy responses, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders addressing the security implications of illegal mining in Ghana.
It brought together policymakers, security and regulatory institutions, development partners, and civil society actors to strategize on a coordinated national response, building on regional insights.
Air Vice Marshal Akrong noted that the Western Region occupies a critical position in Ghana’s mining landscape. He explained that several communities have become hotspots for the growing link between illegal mining and the circulation of illicit and improvised weapons, particularly in remote and contested areas along transport routes and isolated mining sites.
He cautioned that the situation poses a serious threat to both communities and security personnel, while also connecting local challenges to broader patterns of organised crime, illicit financial flows, and cross-border criminal networks.
He further highlighted the difficult choices faced by affected communities—balancing immediate economic survival with long-term environmental degradation, social disruption, and declining trust in institutions.
According to him, this often results in weak institutional coordination, unclear accountability, and reduced public confidence in enforcement systems.
The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Angel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing the issue.
He stressed that tackling illegal mining requires collective action from all stakeholders, noting that Spain’s partnership with KAIPTC continues to yield positive outcomes.
For his part, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, attributed the persistence of galamsey largely to economic hardship. He observed that in many cases, local communities actively support illegal miners due to limited livelihood options.
Mr. Nelson noted that 11 out of the 14 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region are affected by illegal mining activities. He proposed the introduction of legislation to empower the government to seize lands leased to illegal miners by traditional authorities, describing galamsey as a major national challenge that requires decisive action.
