A total of 1,486 people were arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, across the country between January 7 and November 30, 2025.

The Director of Communications of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, made this known in an interview with the Daily Graphic on December 2, 2025.

Galamsey in Ghana: How it began, what it has become, and why education must lead the way

The report noted, "A total of 1,486 persons have so far been arrested by security agencies in anti-galamsey operations in 2025.

"The operations, which were carried out in illegal mining hotspots between January 7 and November 30, led to the seizure of 443 excavators and 11 bulldozers."

Let's tackle 'galamsey' through system strengthening, strategic advocacy – WSUP

Mawusi Mawuenyefia further disclosed that more than GH¢200,000 was received as attempted bribes to security agencies.

“I must add that an amount of GH¢234,000 was received as attempted bribes to the security agencies,” she stated.

Mawusi Mawuenyefia indicated that the government had made some gains in the fight against illegal mining.

"In March, for instance, the government indefinitely withdrew all small-scale mining licences issued after the December 7, 2024, elections, as part of efforts to sanitise the sector. A technical committee was subsequently set up to review all existing licences.

"Additionally, the government began a nationwide registration and tracking process for all excavators, including newly imported ones. It also launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to promote sustainable and regulated mining practices", it added.

Despite repeated attempts by successive governments to curb the galamsey menace, the illegal mining challenge has persisted, threatening the country’s land and water resources.

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, as the BBC moves the home of its Focus on Africa Podcast to Nairobi, GhanaWeb's Etsey Atisu connected with the host for an exclusive interview on The Lowdown. Watch it here: