President John Dramani Mahama has called on chiefs and traditional authorities to support the government’s fight against illegal mining, warning that resistance to enforcement operations could undermine efforts to protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
He made the appeal when he received members of the Western North Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House in Accra, where he stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, traditional leaders and security agencies.
President Mahama acknowledged the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), but expressed concern about confrontations between its officers and residents in some mining communities, including resistance from traditional authorities.
He said such incidents could escalate into violence, resulting in injuries and loss of lives, and urged chiefs to use their influence to encourage residents to cooperate with enforcement officers.
“We need the help of our chiefs in the fight against galamsey because you live in the community with the people, and sometimes NAIMOS is doing a good job, but sometimes we go into some communities and the youth and the traditional authorities and everybody fight back at NAIMOS,” he said.
The President further disclosed that some operations had resulted in soldiers discharging firearms, leading to deaths, a situation he said the government wanted to avoid.
“There are incidents where the soldiers have had to discharge firearms, which resulted in a few deaths. We want to avoid that, and so if we can get the collaboration of our chiefs to help in the fight against illegal mining, especially in our forest reserves and in our water bodies,” he added.
Mr Mahama also highlighted the need to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for people who depend on illegal mining for their income, stressing that enforcement must be supported by measures that address the economic challenges facing affected communities.
The government continues to intensify efforts to tackle galamsey, particularly in forest reserves and around rivers and other water bodies threatened by illegal mining. The President’s appeal places traditional authorities at the centre of efforts to secure community cooperation and achieve lasting results.
