According to Mr. Asuman, the destructive activities of illegal miners are rapidly eroding the foundations of cocoa production by destroying vast stretches of fertile farmland, polluting critical water bodies, and drawing labour away from cocoa farms.

Speaking at Samahu in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality during the presentation of the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme organised by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, he said more than 19,000 hectares of productive cocoa farms have already been lost to illegal mining activities in major cocoa-producing regions, including Ashanti, Western and Central.

He noted that excavators are being deployed on cocoa lands to remove topsoil and create deep mining pits, leaving once-thriving plantations permanently damaged.

“Illegal mining is currently the biggest obstacle facing Ghana’s cocoa industry. It is destroying fertile land, contaminating our rivers with harmful chemicals and creating labour shortages that are affecting cocoa production across the country,” he stated.

Mr. Asuman warned that the continued destruction of cocoa farms is contributing to declining national output and reducing Ghana’s cocoa export volumes, with serious implications for foreign exchange earnings and the financial sustainability of COCOBOD.

He explained that falling production levels are limiting the cocoa regulator’s ability to meet its financial obligations and support programmes aimed at improving the welfare of cocoa farmers.

“If urgent measures are not implemented, the cocoa industry in Ghana will perish,” he cautioned.

The Cocoa Farmers Support Programme forms part of efforts to boost cocoa yields, improve household incomes and strengthen the long-term resilience of farming communities in cocoa-growing areas.

The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, also expressed concern about the growing trend of cocoa farmers selling their lands to illegal miners in exchange for immediate financial gains.

He said many farmers fail to appreciate the long-term value of cocoa cultivation, opting instead for short-term benefits that ultimately leave them worse off.

“The money they take from galamsey operators may sustain them for a short period, but cocoa is a lifelong investment that can support generations,” the MP noted.

Mr. Cudjoe commended initiatives such as the Gold Fields Foundation’s support programme, saying they provide much-needed incentives for farmers to remain committed to cocoa production and resist the temptation to engage in illegal mining activities.

Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, said the programme is designed to increase cocoa productivity, raise farmers’ incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods in both mining and cocoa-growing communities.

He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the economic well-being of farmers while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Responding to the claims, Mr. Bentil described the allegations as baseless and challenged individuals making such assertions to present credible evidence to the public.

“I am not involved in illegal mining. Anyone with evidence to the contrary should come forward and make it public,” he stated.

The lawmaker noted that Mpohor has historically been a mining enclave, with the sector serving as a major source of livelihood for many residents. He added that proceeds from mining activities over the years have supported several individuals in the area to pursue their education and improve their living conditions.

Mr. Bentil, however, acknowledged that he has operated as a licensed gold buyer for several years, stressing that the business is legal and conducted within the framework of the law.

His remarks come at a time of heightened national attention on illegal mining and its impact on the environment, particularly water bodies and farmlands.

He further urged the public to be guided by facts and avoid spreading unverified claims, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the law and supporting responsible mining practices.

The proliferation of these illicit mining operations within the township is instigating significant apprehension among residents, alongside substantial risks to both human safety and property integrity. Notably, local hydrological systems have reportedly suffered severe degradation due to the unregulated mining practices.

In spite of governmental efforts to combat galamsey through coordinated security initiatives such as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guard, the scenario in Bogoso Bogumu Alignment has deteriorated. Miners are operating with apparent impunity, often in plain view and without fear of legal repercussions.

Community leader Eric Nana Kwesi Mensah characterized the environment as hazardous, highlighting the detrimental ecological impacts and existential threats posed to local residents. He pointed out that these miners frequently discharge warning shots to intimidate, contaminate vital water sources, and utilize heavy machinery at all hours, resulting in an unbearable level of noise pollution and widespread fear among the populace.

Despite multiple reports to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and local law enforcement, corrective measures have been minimal.

Eric Nana Kwesi Mensah has called for an urgent prioritization of resident safety, urging investigations into the operations of these illegal miners to avert further ecological and social damage.

Residents who spoke to local media expressed profound frustration regarding the lack of effective response from authorities. They reported that all proximate water bodies and wells have become contaminated, severely limiting access to potable water. Moreover, many expressed concerns over the constant gunfire during nighttime hours, which has severely disrupted sleep and overall peace of mind.

Parents within the community articulated fears for their children’s safety, particularly regarding the presence of uncovered mining pits, which represent significant hazards. One resident recounted a tragic incident involving his nephew, who succumbed after falling into a galamsey pit.

In light of these alarming developments, residents are calling for immediate intervention from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources as well as the President.

They argue that although the President had previously vowed to eradicate galamsey, the issue has now escalated to critical levels in their vicinity, necessitating prompt and decisive action to safeguard lives and restore community stability.

Residents say that large machines, called excavators, have been brought close to the stream by suspected illegal miners, and they are worried that this could pollute the water and destroy their only water source.

This situation has made many local people very concerned, as they rely on the stream for drinking and for farming.

Community leaders have told the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the Police about the problem, but so far, no strong action has been taken.

“We are asking the authorities to act quickly. The SUI Stream is our only source of water, and if it gets polluted, everyone in the community will suffer,” said Abusuapanin Nana Kofi Mogyagu.

Nana Abusuapanin also called on the government to provide more job opportunities for young people in the Bodi District, including Kwesikrom, to help reduce illegal mining activities and lower unemployment.

He warned that if action is not taken soon, it could lead to serious harm to the environment and put the health and lives of the community at risk.

Illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, continues to be a big problem in Ghana, damaging farmlands and polluting rivers and water sources in many areas.

The caucus blamed the tragic incidents on weak law enforcement and what it described as a lack of political will by the government to tackle the menace, which continues to claim lives and destroy the environment.

Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Akwasi Konadu, called for urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing threat of illegal mining and its associated human and environmental toll.

“From January to July 2025, Ghana recorded at least 17 deaths linked directly to galamsey activities. These are not mere statistics; these are Ghanaian lives — breadwinners, mothers, sons, and daughters lost to the reckless pursuit of unregulated mineral wealth,” Mr. Konadu said.

He lamented that despite numerous warnings, the government had failed to implement effective interventions to prevent such tragedies.

“Mr. Speaker, how many lives must be lost before an urgent, decisive action is taken? The prevalence of death and environmental collapse is a direct consequence of ineffective law enforcement, the lack of political will, and, in some instances, the complicity of some state actors and traditional authorities,” he added.

Speaking on Prime Morning News Flash, the former legislator criticised President John Mahama’s decision to engage CSOs in developing a new roadmap to combat illegal mining. He argued that many CSOs seem to prioritise personal benefit over the national interest.

“I see the CSO people as people who follow their stomach,” Mr. Nartey remarked.

Mr. Nartey maintained that from the presidency to ordinary citizens, there is little genuine commitment to tackling the galamsey problem. He lamented that despite the extensive destruction of water bodies and farmlands, political leaders continue to offer rhetoric instead of taking decisive action.

He also accused the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President of inconsistency, noting that while the media was vocal about galamsey under the previous NPP administration, it now appears to be more lenient towards the current government.

According to him, many individuals and groups that once championed the anti-galamsey fight have now gone silent, driven more by political or personal motives than by genuine environmental concern.

Commenting on President Mahama’s statement that a state of emergency would only be declared upon advice from security agencies, Mr. Nartey said the position reflects a lack of urgency.

“If the President says he’ll call for a state of emergency only when there’s progress, then what progress is he talking about?” he questioned.

Mr. Nartey concluded that without bold leadership and sincerity from all stakeholders, the fight against illegal mining will remain a political slogan rather than a national priority.

source: Almightyfm

The meeting brings together senior government officials and prominent voices from civil society in what the presidency describes as a platform for “frank and constructive discussions” on the environmental and social impacts of galamsey.

The dialogue aims to draw on the collective expertise and perspectives of stakeholders as government works to strike a balance between resource extraction, environmental sustainability, and community livelihoods.

Watch the livestream below:

source: myjoyonline

The victims were among five people who allegedly sneaked into the site to mine around 1 a.m., according to the Twifo Praso District Police Command.

A fourth body was still being sought, while a fifth person, who was operating a pumping machine, escaped and raised the alarm.

Rescue efforts, which lasted several hours, were led by police with support from the District Chief Executive Isaac Yawson, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ghana National Fire Service.

Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, has claimed dozens of lives in Ghana in recent years despite repeated crackdowns.

Speaking after the operation, Hon. Aidoo emphasized the severe impact of illegal mining on the environment and local communities. He called for collective action to tackle the menace.

“The ripple effect of galamsey is enormous. We must all come together to fight this devastating calamity,” he stated.

According to the MCE, the joint task force successfully conducted an operation deep within the Cape Three Points Forest. During the raid, seven individuals were arrested, and more than ten “chamfa” machines—commonly referred to as “one leg”—were destroyed, delivering a major blow to illegal mining operations in the area.

Hon. Aidoo reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the environment and upholding the law, stating that the operation was a clear demonstration of his resolve as MCE.

He further noted that pragmatic measures are being implemented to ensure that local communities are better equipped and safer, highlighting the Assembly’s dedication to long-term environmental sustainability and community protection.

Speaking on the maiden edition of Prime Insight on Joy Prime on Saturday, August 16, Mr. Mustapha described galamsey as a long-standing national challenge that predates the current administration.

“I dare say the fight against galamsey has proven to be a very stubborn one that has unfortunately plunged the nation into grief beyond all the shenanigans and the politics. It didn’t start now. This menace has been around for a very long time,” he said.

He cautioned that reducing the issue to “political football” distracts from finding lasting solutions.

“If we were to pick it on that basis, we would have dealt with it well, but to reduce it to politics and weaponise it like they did in the last elections against the NPP speaks volumes. It was weaponised through demonstrations and slogans, with hands placed on the neck of former President Akufo-Addo,” he added.

Comparing galamsey to drug cartels

Mr. Mustapha likened the galamsey fight to America’s decades-long battle with drug cartels, stressing that both involve powerful networks that operate beyond the influence of politicians.

“These are enterprises controlled by cartels, powerful blocs and people who don’t care about politicians or politics. Their interest is in wealth, influence and money,” he explained.

Akufo-Addo’s vow and political consequences

When asked whether President Akufo-Addo set himself up for criticism by declaring that he was prepared to put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, the NPP youth leader acknowledged that leaders must be accountable but maintained that the party bore a heavy political cost for its efforts.

“Because of the fight, in the 2020 elections, we lost 19 seats on the mining radar and virtually all the mining constituencies except for a few around Obuasi and Akwatia.
You would not believe that NPP lost a seat like Akrofuom in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region. The ramifications are dire, and the weaponisation of it is what has made it so,” he stated.