A coalition of civil society organizations, led by AROCHA Ghana, has called for the immediate replacement of police leadership in the Eastern Region due to their failure to curb illegal mining, known as galamsey, particularly in the Kyebi areas.

The demand was made during a press conference held on Friday, March 7, 2025, where the group issued a statement addressing the escalating environmental degradation caused by illegal mining in Ghana.

The statement, signed by AROCHA Ghana, Kasa Initiative Ghana, Nature and Development Foundation, and Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape, criticized the Eastern-South Police Commander DCOP George Boadi Bossman and Divisional Police Commander ACP Reynolds Sam for their inability to enforce laws against galamsey.

“We are therefore calling for a more proactive law enforcement and effective leadership by asking for the replacement of Eastern-South Police Commander DCOP George Boadi Bossman and ACP Reynolds Sam Divisional Police Commander for their inability to curb illegal mining activities in the region,” the statement read.

The group demanded their replacement with dedicated officers who will prioritize the enforcement of the minerals and mining regulations and halt the escalating impunity by illegal miners in the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area and within the Atewa Landscape.

The coalition highlighted a specific incident involving the arrest of a Forestry Commission staff member by Kyebi police, calling it an abuse of power that undermines efforts to combat galamsey.

“The shocking aspect of this operation was how the police force in Kyebi traversed jurisdictions, to effect an arrest of another public officer acting against galamsey impunity when they have consistently failed to address the unprecedented illegal mining activities within their jurisdiction,” the statement noted.

The group also demanded the revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation, 2022 (L.I 2462), a ban on the tributer mining lease regime, and new leadership for the Minerals Commission to ensure sustainable mining practices.

They urged the government to resource the Forestry Commission to confiscate excavators used in illegal mining, emphasizing that bold action is needed to address the environmental crisis threatening Ghana’s forests and water systems.

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