Prominent Ghanaian businessman and Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, Sir Sam Jonah, has called for a paradigm shift in the fight against illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—urging authorities to empower traditional leaders and local communities to take a frontline role.
Speaking during a fireside chat at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Communications Studies in Accra, Sir Sam argued that sustainable progress against illegal mining cannot be achieved solely through legislation or government intervention.
“We don’t need more laws,” he stated. “The laws already prohibit mining in forest reserves and mandate reclamation after mining. The problem is enforcement—and enforcement cannot succeed without community ownership.”
Sir Sam emphasized that local chiefs and opinion leaders must be seen not just as stakeholders, but as key enforcers and gatekeepers of the land.
“Traditional leaders have a moral and cultural obligation to protect their lands. Their involvement is not just important—it’s essential,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing calls by civil society organizations for the government to declare a state of emergency in illegal mining hotspots. However, Sir Sam’s comments shift the spotlight to a more grassroots approach, suggesting that community-led monitoring and enforcement could be the missing link in curbing the galamsey menace.
Observers say his remarks highlight a long-standing gap in the national response: the underutilization of local leadership structures in environmental governance.
