The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has hinted at a wider enforcement campaign in the government’s renewed crackdown on illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, as it prepares to make more arrests beyond the recent case involving New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
Director of Communications at the Ministry, Madam Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, revealed that several investigations are underway, targeting individuals and networks engaged in illicit mining operations across the country.
“We have more arrests in the pipeline. It’s not just about Wontumi — the Ministry remains firmly committed to the fight against illegal mining,” she said during an interview on The Citizen Show with Kwabena Bobie Ansah on Monday, September 6, 2025.
She explained that the latest enforcement actions form part of a long-term strategy aimed at dismantling illegal mining syndicates and restoring Ghana’s degraded water bodies and forest reserves.
Madam Mawuenyefia stressed that the government’s determination to protect the environment and safeguard natural resources transcends politics or personalities. “Our mission is to uphold the rule of law and preserve the nation’s ecological heritage for future generations,” she noted.
The Ministry is also deepening collaboration with the security agencies, the Minerals Commission, and local authorities to ensure sustained and coordinated action against illegal mining operators.
Illegal mining, she warned, continues to threaten water security, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. “This is a national security issue as much as it is an environmental one,” she said.
According to the Ministry, the next phase of the anti-galamsey campaign will prioritize intelligence-led operations and community partnerships to ensure that arrests and prosecutions yield lasting impact.
The statement reinforces the government’s renewed commitment to curbing illegal mining through a blend of law enforcement, public education, and sustainable livelihood interventions for communities affected by the menace.
