Mahama Ayariga schedules national galamsey conference for November 2

Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has announced a national conference scheduled for November 2, 2026, to address the persistent challenge of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The conference, set to take place in Kumasi, aims to establish a unified strategy by bringing together various ministries and local government officials. Ayariga emphasized that while central government ministries play a role, the success of any anti-galamsey operation depends heavily on the active involvement and leadership of local authorities within the affected districts.

During his announcement, the Minister stressed that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) must take primary responsibility for enforcement operations in their respective jurisdictions. He argued that because illegal mining occurs within specific localities, the chief executives are best positioned to monitor and halt these activities. While acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ayariga maintained that their interventions would remain insufficient without robust management at the local level.

To ensure the effectiveness of this decentralised approach, the Minister revealed that the government is providing logistical support to MMDCEs to enhance their operational capacity. This support is intended to empower local leaders to protect water bodies and forest reserves from the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. Ayariga expressed strong confidence that under the leadership of President John Mahama, the government’s collaborative framework will yield more sustainable results than previous efforts.

The upcoming Kumasi conference will serve as a platform to foster deeper collaboration between the various ministries and local government structures. By synchronising the efforts of the Ministry of Local Government with those of technical ministries, the administration hopes to create a more resilient and coordinated front against galamsey. The focus remains on ensuring that local chief executives are not just participants, but the primary owners of the fight to protect Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.