President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on media professionals to step up efforts in addressing the issue of illegal mining, widely known as “galamsey”.

In a report by citinewsroom.com, on September 18, 2025, Dwumfour highlighted the need for thorough investigations and ensuring authorities are held accountable.

"Galamsey is no longer merely a threat to individual well-being; it has escalated into a national security concern. Chronic health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, congenital deformities in children, and kidney failure are all associated with ‘galamsey’ and the use of dangerous chemicals in illegal mining activities," he remarked.

Dwumfour raised concerns about what he sees as a lack of political commitment to tackling “galamsey”, which continues to harm the environment.

"The inability of successive governments to effectively address ‘galamsey’ has had serious consequences for Ghana, with many water bodies destroyed by illegal mining activities," he stated.

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He emphasised the crucial role of the media in advocating for responsible mining practices and ensuring that mining revenues are used to advance the nation's development.

“The question remains: when will Ghana finally overcome this problem? As journalists, we have an important role to play. While it’s easy to highlight the negatives, our responsibility is to dig deeper and push policymakers to eradicate illegal mining and ensure that mining revenues are managed wisely for the rightful beneficiaries of the nation's resources,” he stated.

During a workshop hosted by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the CEO, Ing Dr Ken Ashigbey, urged the media to push for better legal frameworks.

"We need to understand the intricacies of mining policies, the economic advantages, and the creative approaches being developed to make mining both sustainable and eco-friendly," he stressed.

"The current Minerals and Mining Act is being revised, but this revision needs to be forward-thinking. We require legislation that draws both foreign and local investments in a competitive global market while ensuring a fair portion of the value generated stays in Ghana," he said.

The new framework, however, aims to ensure that Ghana fully benefits from its mineral resources.

NAD/VPO

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