Environment, Science and Technology Minister-designate, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has stressed the need for effective coordination among ministries, departments and agencies in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to her, efforts to tackle the menace would be more effective if all institutions with responsibilities in the fight worked together instead of operating in isolation.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the remarks during her vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, when she was asked how she intended to help curb illegal mining if approved as minister.

“I do believe that the easiest way to address it [galamsey] is to have effective coordination between the ministries, departments and the agencies,” she said.

She noted that illegal mining activities occur within local governance areas, making the involvement of decentralised institutions and agencies at the local level essential to addressing the problem.

“All of these activities [galamsey] are happening within our local governance space, and we have the decentralised Environmental Protection Authority and all these agencies at the local level as well,” she added.

The minister-designate explained that regular reporting and monitoring of interventions could improve transparency and help authorities assess which measures were producing results.

“The regular reporting improves transparency. It also helps us to track the extent of interventions that are making an impact,” she said.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings pledged to engage relevant stakeholders across government if her nomination is approved by Parliament.

She said her initial approach would involve meeting with ministers whose portfolios have a direct role in the fight against illegal mining, including those responsible for lands and local government.

“To start with, I would want to sit with the relevant ministers of the various ministries that have an interest in the galamsey fight. This will range from the land as well as the local government to ensure that we are on the same page to avoid the silo effect, and so that is what I will start with,” she stated.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said improved collaboration would help align the activities of the various institutions and strengthen efforts to combat illegal mining and its environmental consequences.