The Minority Caucus in Parliament has warned President John Dramani Mahama that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, poses a serious threat to Ghana’s environment and democratic governance.
The warning came in a press statement signed by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, following a meeting between the President and Parliamentary Leadership at Jubilee House on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Describing the situation as a “clear and present danger” to national stability, the statement noted that environmental destruction linked to galamsey has intensified alarmingly since January 2025.
The Minority cited reports by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority, which revealed “high levels of poisonous metals contaminating water and soils in small-scale mining areas.” It also referenced verified data from A Rocha Ghana and Global Forest Watch showing significant increases in river turbidity and forest cover loss.
The Caucus further accused the Ghana Minerals and Oil Board (GoldBod) of indirectly legitimising illegal mining through weak traceability systems.
“The lack of rigorous chain-of-custody risks making the state a formal purchaser of illegally mined gold, thereby sanctioning environmental destruction,” the statement said.
Questioning the effectiveness of the Blue Water Guards, the Minority urged President Mahama to implement fundamental reforms at GoldBod, stressing that “Ghana cannot become a state-sponsored conduit for illegal gold.”
