Mahama urges chiefs to support fight against galamsey

President John Dramani Mahama has called on traditional authorities across the country to intensify their support for the government’s fight against illegal mining, warning that sustained enforcement must be complemented by alternative livelihood opportunities for affected communities.

He said the cooperation of chiefs was essential to ending the menace, given their influence and close ties with residents in communities where illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, remains prevalent.

President Mahama made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Western North Regional House of Chiefs to the Jubilee House, where he urged traditional authorities, the government and security agencies to work together to address the environmental and security threats posed by illegal mining.

While commending the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for its efforts, the President expressed concern about resistance encountered by enforcement officers during operations, including confrontations involving some community members and traditional authorities.

He warned that such resistance could undermine the campaign and lead to violent incidents, stressing the need for chiefs to help secure community cooperation and prevent clashes.

“We need the help of our chiefs in the fight against galamsey because you live in the community with the people, and sometimes NAIMOS is doing a good job, but sometimes we go into some communities and the youth and the traditional authorities and everybody fight back at NAIMOS.

“There are incidents where the soldiers have had to discharge firearms, which resulted in a few deaths. We want to avoid that, and so if we can get the collaboration of our chiefs to help in the fight against illegal mining, especially in our forest reserves and in our water bodies.”

The President’s remarks come as the government continues to intensify efforts to curb illegal mining, particularly in forest reserves and around rivers and other water bodies threatened by the practice.

Galamsey remains a major environmental challenge in Ghana, contributing to deforestation, land degradation and the pollution of water resources.

Beyond the destruction of natural ecosystems, the activities also threaten the long-term sustainability of resources on which many communities depend for their livelihoods.

President Mahama’s appeal highlights the importance of traditional leadership in strengthening enforcement efforts while supporting measures that provide sustainable economic alternatives for people affected by the crackdown.