The directive seeks to distinguish licensed miners who comply with mining and environmental regulations from those engaging in illegal mining activities, particularly along river bodies and within forest reserves.

Mrs. Awatey issued the directive during a crucial meeting held on Monday, October 6, 2025, in Koforidua. The meeting brought together MDCEs, NDC constituency executives, and other key stakeholders, including the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande.

The engagement follows President John Mahama’s recent high-level meeting with civil society organizations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House to develop sustainable measures to combat illegal mining (galamsey).

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mrs. Awatey reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strictly enforce mining laws across the region.

“Illegal mining is not just a regional issue — it is a national and environmental problem, and the nation is not taking it kindly at all,” she said.

“I have charged all municipal and District chief executives to go into their communities and profile all mining centres and their owners. Within two weeks, every miner must be known, those with proper licenses and those operating illegally.”

The Minister also ordered that miners operating along water bodies and in forest reserves be given two weeks to vacate such areas, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.

“We are using the two weeks to profile all the mining centres. To profile all the miners. Yes, we know there are some miners that are even mining in many areas but they don’t have licence. Those are the things we are looking for. And as a Regional minister, I believe in these executives that I’m working with. I’m charging them from here, we believe that they are going to make sure the laws on mining are enforced in our municipalities and districts.”

“We have laws that regulate mining, and we must make sure they are enforced. Water areas and forest reserves are no-go zones, and anyone who ignores this will face prosecution,” she stressed.

Mrs. Awatey also lauded the participation of party executives, traditional leaders, and local authorities in the meeting, noting that their cooperation is vital in enforcing by-laws and national mining regulations across the region.

“We have our constituency executives, we have our chairman, we have our organisers, we have our secretaries here. And this is what we are doing in the eastern region to make sure the bylaws and the laws that are governing mining are enforced in our region.”

The profiling exercise, which takes effect immediately, is expected to guide a comprehensive regional operation against illegal mining once the two-week period ends.

Source : Adomonline

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The projects, carried out in partnership with philanthropist Mr. Guy Kofi Chambers, also included the donation of laptops and emergency beds to schools and health facilities.

Madam Awatey commended Team CSR Ghana for refurbishing and roofing Yilo State Primary School and providing over seventy boreholes to serve surrounding communities.

Through a collaboration with Yaco International Inc Project, significant quantities of medical supplies—including collapsible hospital beds, surgical gowns, and thermometer guns—were delivered to the Eastern Regional Hospital and Jumapo Hospital.

The MP also provided direct financial support to patients and new mothers to help ease hospital expenses, a gesture she described as bringing relief and hope to struggling families.

“These thoughtful contributions and partnerships are improving the well-being of our people and creating a lasting impact,” she said.

“We know there are laws, and we must obey them. If you are mining without a license and the task force comes after you, they will act strictly according to the law,” she said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem.

To tackle the menace, she revealed that a nine-member committee has been formed, comprising representatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the military, the police, the Minerals Commission, the Forestry Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.

“This committee was set up last week, and their mandate is to monitor mining activities, especially along riverbanks, and take the necessary legal action against illegal miners,” she said.

The Minister further stated that this week, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) will meet with both large- and small-scale miners to educate them on the laws governing mining.

“We will not announce our operations. The task force will appear at mining concessions to ensure compliance,” she warned.

However, she clarified that the task force would not arrest those mining legally on their concessions or seize their machines unnecessarily, as the government recognizes their importance.

While traditional leaders are not part of the committee, she assured that they would be engaged in the process.

“We will seek the consent of chiefs and collaborate with them to find sustainable ways to curb illegal mining,” she noted.

The crackdown aims to ensure responsible mining practices and protect the environment from the devastating effects of illegal mining.

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Addressing the media after assuming office, Mrs. Adjei Awatey emphasized that these sectors are crucial for the well-being and development of the region.

She assured residents that her administration would work tirelessly to improve infrastructure, enhance educational opportunities, and strengthen healthcare systems to uplift the living standards of citizens.

The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) officially welcomed Mrs. Adjei Awatey, as she pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to drive development, good governance, and impactful change.

She outlined her top priorities, which include enhancing education, improving healthcare, developing infrastructure, and promoting youth employment.

Additionally, she stressed the NDC government’s commitment to infrastructure development, with plans to invest in modern water treatment plants, schools, and healthcare facilities as part of a broader strategy to boost human capital growth.

Beyond social services, Mrs. Adjei Awatey vowed to tackle illegal mining, a major threat to water bodies and forest reserves in the region.

She also pledged to strengthen security measures to combat crime, ensuring a safer and more sustainable environment for residents.

Her leadership, she assured, would be marked by inclusivity and unity among stakeholders, working collectively to advance the Eastern Region’s progress.

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