Kwame Jantuah, Legal and energy policy expert
Legal and energy policy expert Kwame Jantuah has raised alarm over the persistent threat of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, accusing political actors of lacking the will to clamp down on the practice.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day on June 20, 2025, Jantuah questioned the source of political party funding, suggesting that proceeds from galamsey may be financing politics in Ghana.
“Whose responsibility is it to ascertain where political parties get their money from? I believe galamsey has been used to support politics. Who is supposed to probe this? Isn’t it the Electoral Commission?” he asked.
“Once upon a time, these illegal miners were not armed, but they are now. That is why I say you should shoot to kill,” he added.
He cited the attack on the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr Hannah Bisiw-Kotei, and her team by illegal miners during a working visit to a mining site in the Ashanti Region in early June.
Jantuah called for the fight against galamsey to be elevated to the Office of the President, stressing the need for top-level leadership to tackle the crisis head-on.
“We have not prosecuted anyone for galamsey so far. There is no political will to do it. We are not enforcing the laws,” he lamented.
While calling for urgent national action on the menace, which continues to destroy vegetation and water bodies, Jantuah urged the entire country to rise and demonstrate against illegal mining.
MRA/MA
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