GhanaWeb Feature by Mandy Agyemang

The fight against galamsey appears to be an ongoing and tough battle for both current and previous administrations in the country.

The activities of these illegal miners pose grave risks to the country and its inhabitant due to the environmental pollution it comes with, and the effects of the chemicals used in their mining operations, which some traditional leaders have had cause to speak out about.

Despite the many dangers associated with it, the number of people engaging in the business continue to increase daily due to unemployment and its profitability.

As part of his promises in 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pledged to put his presidency on the line in the fight against illegal mining.

Additionally, several task forces have been established to fight illegal mining and to put an end to the menace that has been causing harm to the country.

Operation Vanguard, a joint military and police taskforce, was established by President Akufo-Addo in 2017 to fight galamsey. After this, an inter-ministerial committee on illegal mining was constituted to clamp down on galamsey activities.

However, the committee was later dissolved by Akufo-Addo after it was embroiled in scandals, including corruption allegations levelled against some of its leaders, as well as claims of missing excavators seized from illegal small-scale miners.

Despite all these efforts to combat galamsey, many Ghanaians believe the govt has not done enough to curb the menace.

According to the government, the fight against galamsey requires the collective efforts of all sectors of the country, including traditional leaders.

However, all hope may not be lost, as some traditional leaders have strongly opposed galamsey and made bold moves to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the issue.

In light of this, GhanaWeb highlights the traditional leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to fighting galamsey



1. Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Recently, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II destooled three chiefs for their alleged involvements in galamsey activities during the Asanteman Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace on August 26, 2024.

The three chiefs: Sabronum Gyaasehene Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi, Sabronum Akyeamehene, and Baamuhene, were destooled by the Asantehene following a petition submitted by concerned residents of the traditional area.

The Otumfuo stated that he had previously petitioned the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to conduct investigations into the Gyaasehene’s involvement, based on several reports.

The investigation’s findings confirmed that the Gyaasehene was indeed involved in, and guilty of the allegations, he said.

“You have destroyed the town with galamsey. I was informed of your involvement in galamsey for some time now and not today. It even appeared in the Chronicle newspaper some time ago and I petitioned the NIB to conduct investigations into the claims. The report and its findings are here with me.

“Your names are all written in the report and I’ve had the report for almost 3 months now. If I allow you to stay, you will completely destroy the town,” the Asantehene said.



2. Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin

In November 2022, Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin ordered the destoolment of Nana Boakye Darkwa, the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, following a petition filed by the Concerned Citizens of Asamang Tamfoe.

The petition, submitted to the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council on November 9, 2022, accused the chief of engaging in illegal mining, which was polluting rivers, degrading farmlands, and threatening the food security and livelihood of smallholder farmers.

“I order that the Benkumhene should not remain as the Benkumhene because he has defied the orders that I instructed the taskforce to protect the Akyem lands from all illegal mining activities.

“The destruction of lands and water bodies going on at Asamang-Tamfoe, are you happy? You did something wrong and Okyenhene called you and you refused to come, because of galamsey all our water bodies are destroyed in even Kyebi here, the same as Tamfoe, I am not interested in mining, I hate it” Okyenhene fumed.



3. Osaberima Atta Appeakrong Agyei II

The Chief of Akyem Anyinasin, Osaberima Atta Appeakrong Agyei II, on September 1, 2024, ordered for the burning and destruction of excavators belonging to illegal miners on his land.

Anyinasin is located in the Abuakwa North Constituency in the Eastern Region.

“President Akufo-Addo, who is an Akyem, put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey due to the terrible nature of our lands and water bodies by galamsey activities. Osagyefo Amoatia who is an environmentalist also dislikes these activities.

“… Whatever the Okyenhene detests, I must also detest it. Whatever the president and Otumfuo doesn’t like, I also don’t like it… I stand on my authority and power, as a representative of Okyenhene, President Akufo-Addo and Ghana, and with the support of my elders, I order the burning of the excavators,” he angrily said during a visit to one of the forests being used by illegal miners in his jurisdiction.



4. Dormahene Osagyefo Oseadeyor Agyemang Badu

On his part, the Dormaahene had six divisional chiefs of the Dormaa Traditional Council and their elders sign an undertaking, committing to protect Dormaa lands from illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey in 2023.

The six divisional chiefs and elders were from Ankobia, Nifa, Benkum, Aduana, Kyidom, and Gyaase divisions.

They were from six traditional areas made up of Bomaa, Chiraa, Abesim Dormaa Municipality, Dormaa, and part of Sunyani.

The undertaking stated that any chief who remains passive and allows illegal mining to continue in their communities will be destooled by the Dormaahene.

The list may be extensive, but these are the chiefs whose efforts and fight against galamsey have been highlighted in the media so far.