President Mahama Pledges Intensified Galamsey Fight as Government Tables Mining Reforms to Boost Local Participation

At the 2026 National Mining Dialogue in Accra, President John Mahama’s administration has underscored a renewed commitment to overhauling Ghana’s extractive sector through legislative reforms and a more strategic approach to illegal mining. President Mahama reported significant progress in the fight against 'galamsey,' crediting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) with successfully reclaiming forest reserves and seizing illegal equipment. While acknowledging the challenges in preventing miners from returning to sensitive areas, the President affirmed that the government remains resolute in its duty to protect natural resources. This comes as the government officially laid new mining local-content reforms before Parliament, designed to ensure Ghanaian businesses and communities retain a larger share of the nation's mineral wealth.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, detailed the proposed reforms, which stem from a cabinet-approved regulatory framework finalized in July 2026. The legislation aims to prioritize Ghanaian goods and services in the mining value chain, urging local communities to invest in education and technical skills to capitalize on these new opportunities. Adding to the call for structural change, former Deputy Minister George Mireku Duker proposed mandatory Community Development Agreements (CDAs). Duker argued that the current voluntary corporate social responsibility model is insufficient, suggesting that legal obligations similar to those in Sierra Leone would better define the responsibilities mining firms owe to their host communities.

Traditional leaders at the dialogue expressed stern warnings regarding the 'social license' required for mining operations. The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, emphasized that this license is a recognition from traditional authorities and communities that can be withdrawn if companies fail to act responsibly. He argued that mine closures must not lead to the devastation of local livelihoods and that land reclamation should be a priority to ensure a legacy for future generations. Supporting this sentiment, Dr. Nana Kwao Adarkwa Bediako, the Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Stool, called on the government to empower indigenous landowners with greater control over their territories to curb irresponsible mining, citing inconsistencies in central government regulations driven by political leadership changes.

Regarding the ongoing crisis of illegal mining, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour urged the government to shift its focus from low-level miners to the more influential actors supporting the illegal gold economy. Dwumfour advocated for a 'follow the money' strategy to target financiers, equipment suppliers, and gold buyers. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Communications Mohammed Adams Sukparu cautioned that the galamsey fight is a long-term process that cannot be won within two years, dismissing 'shoot-to-kill' approaches as unconstitutional. The urgency of this battle was highlighted by recent law enforcement actions, including the arrest of two individuals in the Ahafo Region for illegal mining activities that damaged farmlands and polluted local water bodies.

Concluding the dialogue, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transparency and addressing the unresolved grievances of mining communities, such as displacement and land-use conflicts. She noted that while national economic figures often highlight the importance of mining to the GDP, these gains must translate into tangible improvements for local residents. As Ghana moves forward with formalizing small-scale mining and enhancing traceability through the Ghana Gold Board, the consensus among stakeholders remains clear: mining must be balanced against environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities that host these vital resources.