President John Dramani Mahama has invited civil society organisations (CSOs) for a high-level engagement on illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the escalating menace.
The meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon, according to an official letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President.
Purpose of the Dialogue
The presidency stated that the engagement will serve as a platform for frank and constructive discussions between government and civil society, with the goal of harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and sustainable solutions to address the galamsey crisis.
“This engagement aims to provide a platform for dialogue on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to generating actionable strategies to safeguard Ghana’s environment, food security, and water resources,” the letter emphasized.
Background and Criticism of Mahama’s Stance
President Mahama has faced mounting criticism over his handling of galamsey, particularly following his comments during a Presidential Media Encounter at Jubilee House earlier this month.
Civil society activist Dr. Steve Manteaw described the President’s remarks as inconsistent with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s electoral pledges. He argued that Mahama’s comments seemed to emphasize the economic benefits of small-scale gold exports over the devastating costs, including:
- Environmental destruction
- Food security risks
- Public health implications
- Water scarcity
- International compliance issues
In a Facebook post, Dr. Manteaw warned that Ghana could face international sanctions if decisive measures were not taken, noting that Mahama’s comments undermined efforts to align with OECD guidelines on responsible mineral sourcing.
He further pointed out that while initiatives like the GoldBod’s gold traceability system using blockchain technology were promising, the President failed to highlight these solutions during his address.
Coalition Against Galamsey Reacts
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey also expressed deep concern, accusing President Mahama of downplaying the severity of the crisis.
In a statement signed by Convenor Kenneth Ashigbey on September 11, 2025, the Coalition described galamsey as an “unprecedented environmental terrorism” and criticized the government’s withdrawal of police forces from anti-galamsey operations.
According to the Coalition:
- Over 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted with heavy metals.
- Thousands of farmers have been displaced.
- Forest reserves face near-total devastation.
The Coalition further challenged the Presidency to identify any small-scale mining company currently engaged in responsible mining practices.
They argued that the President’s suggestion of providing alternatives before tackling illegal miners only served to justify and embolden illegality.
“This is not the leadership expected for a country facing environmental suicide, contaminated cocoa exports, and rising health crises,” the statement stressed.
Calls for a State of Emergency
Civil society groups also rejected President Mahama’s dismissal of calls for a targeted state of emergency on illegal mining. They insisted that conditions have deteriorated since Mahama assumed office, contradicting his position that emergency measures were unnecessary.
The Coalition announced it will hold a comprehensive media briefing on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the International Press Center, to further outline its position and rally national action against galamsey.
Why This Matters
The galamsey menace remains one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges, threatening public health, food security, environmental sustainability, and international trade reputation. President Mahama’s upcoming engagement with CSOs will be closely monitored, as stakeholders seek clear policy direction and decisive leadership in the fight against illegal mining.
