Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has strongly endorsed the approach of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration in tackling illegal mining, known as “galamsey”, following the President's engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on October 3, 2025.

Speaking on TV3’s The Keypoints on October 4, Kpebu stated that the President is "on the right path," identifying the cessation of mining licenses in forest reserves and the permanent stationing of security forces as the most significant steps taken so far.

he downplayed the impact of the promised repeal of the controversial Legislative Instrument (LI 2462), calling it "the icing on the cake" rather than the main event.

He argued that the most crucial action was the government's decision to ban all new mining activities within forest reserves, a pledge he said he has heard the President make at least three times since taking office.

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“For me, what really got me... was that soon after he won... they said they’re not going to do any more mining in forests. And that is very key. So, it’s like, stop the bleeding,” Kpebu stated,

He contrasted Mahama’s posture with what he described as the previous administration's "willy-nilly" issuance of mining leases in forest reserves.

“So, you see how now the conversation is moving forward. So those who said no talk shop; it is needless, spoke too early. [They] spoke too early. How many times did we read the Bible as kids? Are we still not reading the Bible and for that matter also the Quran and the Torah and all the other religions?

“So, sometimes I think we should hasten slowly. For me, the taking over of the nine forests is a key step forward. And before even that, number one is the fact that no more mining licenses, or mining leases are being issued, et cetera in forest reserves, that's the big ticket. It's the big ticket because that is stopping the bleeding," he said.

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He confirmed the success of reclaiming forest lands, noting that security forces have made attempts to secure the nine previously encroached forests out of the 11 forest reserves.

The Legal Practitioner further commended the decision to permanently station security forces in the nine affected forest reserves, moving away from temporary military interventions.

He referred to the Constitution, citing Article 210 on the police's duty to maintain law and order, suggesting that a permanent police presence is the appropriate and most effective deterrent.

"Now we have permanent security forces stationed there [in the forest]... you are coming to the forest and then you see that police vehicles are there. How are you going to continue? It’s common sense," he said.

VPO/EB

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