The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, clarified that the government’s campaign against galamsey is not meant to abolish mining but to eliminate activities outside the country’s legal framework.
He said mining remains an important economic activity in Ghana and has been practised for centuries, adding that it would continue for as long as the country has commercially viable mineral deposits.
Mr Ayariga clarified at the National Conference for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives on Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Kumasi, where he urged local authorities to take a more active role in addressing illegal mining.
He stressed that Ghana’s laws do not prohibit mining as an economic activity but criminalise operations that are conducted without the required authorisation or in violation of applicable regulations.
“What we’re here today to decode and to find a solution to is: how do we deal with illegal mining? Because we’re not saying that our Constitution prohibits mining. We’re not saying that our laws prohibit mining. What our laws prohibit is illegal mining,” he emphasised.
The Minister said the distinction was important in shaping the national response, arguing that efforts should focus on ensuring mining activities comply with the law rather than treating all forms of mining as unlawful.
He also said he would personally take a leading role in the anti-galamsey campaign, despite the political risks of confronting those engaged in the practice.
Mr Ayariga said he was prepared to move into what he described as the “line of fire” and ensure that Regional Ministers and MMDCEs were equally committed to the exercise.
His comments are part of a broader call for local government authorities to work with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to tackle illegal mining while supporting lawful mining activities.