Omanhene Kwabena Asante: Ghana Has Lost The Fight Against Galamsey -

Omanhene Kwabena Asante, a seasoned broadcaster and political analyst, has questioned Ghana’s capacity to stop illegal mining, or galamsey, calling the practice a national embarrassment.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, on Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ program, Mr. Asante stated that despite years of government pledges and several interventions, evidence on the ground indicates that the battle against galamsey has already been lost.

“Everything shows that Ghana cannot fight galamsey,” he said bluntly. “We should all bow down our heads in shame.”

He asserts that the political will required to address the threat has not been shown by consecutive governments. He maintained that whereas public declarations frequently demonstrate dedication to the cause, ground-level activities suggest political meddling, compromise, and the cooperation of influential people who profit from the illicit activity.

Omanhene went on to say that the ongoing deterioration of Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies shows a lack of commitment to addressing the issue.

“The rivers keep turning brown, our cocoa lands are being destroyed, and yet we pretend we are fighting galamsey,” he lamented.

His comments coincide with a rise in public outrage about illicit mining. Environmental activists, chiefs, and civil society organizations have frequently expressed concern about the catastrophic effects of galamsey on the environment and livelihoods. A lot of Ghanaians have also questioned why task force activities and arrests have not produced long-term outcomes.

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The government, on its part, has introduced various measures over the years, including Operation Vanguard, Operation Halt, and the deployment of the military to mining areas. However, critics argue that these interventions have only provided temporary relief, as illegal miners often return once security forces leave.

Omanhene Kwabena Asante concluded that unless there is a genuine national consensus backed by uncompromised leadership, the fight against galamsey will remain nothing more than political rhetoric.