University of Ghana lecturer Professor Kwasi Dartey-Baah has called on the government to collaborate with traditional leaders to combat illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey.

According to him, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other traditional leaders should develop measures to fight the menace, given their proximity to those involved for proper supervision.

He emphasised that galamsey needs to be tackled seriously by the government to protect water bodies, land, and future generations.

Speaking at an inaugural lecture on April 10, 2025, at the UG campus, titled “Dancing in the boardroom: leading with groove, balancing tradition and transformation in Ghana’s leadership landscape,” Dartey-Baah called for action against galamsey.

“The need to combat illegal mining and promote sustainable resource practices. The galamsey crisis poses a serious threat to both the environment and our nation's survival. To address this, a robust policy framework is urgently needed, one that involves both political and traditional leaders to enforce sustainable practices and regulations aimed at safeguarding Ghana's natural resources.

“We see how government has struggled over the years to tackle this problem and we also see the example that I showed earlier on about Otumfuo tackling it. Some things are best handled by traditional leaders,” he said.

Professor Dartey-Baah also stressed the need for the government to adopt more technological innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote accountability and align local governance.

“There’s a need to empower you for innovation and leadership. This policy advocates for promoting youth entrepreneurship and tech-driven leadership in Ghana, creating opportunities for young leaders to thrive and address global challenges effectively. Then the last policy they need to enhance CSR in local governance.

"Implementing these policies will strengthen collaboration between leadership structures, promote sustainable practices, and empower leadership, fostering an inclusive leadership framework for Ghana's development,” he added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the importance of collaboration in fighting galamsey, appealing to the National House of Chiefs to work together to address the issue.

Watch Prof Dartey-Baah's remarks below:



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