Former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has made a passionate plea for drastic measures to combat the scourge of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in the country.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, April 2, Ade Coker called for a complete ban on galamsey and the suspension of small-scale mining to facilitate land reclamation efforts across the country.
Ade Coker’s concerns are rooted in the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
He stressed the need for decisive action to protect the country’s resources from further destruction.
“Galamsey should be banned; small-scale mining should be suspended. The big companies should be set aside for the next three to four years to reclaim our land,” he stated emphatically.
Ade Coker highlighted the alarming disparity between the value of Ghana’s gold exports and the actual revenue generated for the country.
“How much are we getting from our gold? The last time I heard, $2 billion worth of Ghana’s gold was exported to Dubai, and out of that $2 billion, most of it was smuggled. Ghana gained just peanuts from it,” he lamented.
To prevent illegal mining activities, Ade Coker emphasized the importance of tracking excavators used in mining operations.
“We should have an inventory of all the excavators in this country. We should find out which excavator is in road construction and how many are in mining, then call the owners to bring them to designated places,” he added.
In a related development, the Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested 11 individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Bonsa River in the Western Region.
The suspects, comprising seven Ghanaians and four Chinese nationals, were apprehended on March 31, 2025, as part of an intelligence-led operation aimed at tackling illegal mining in the region.
