Togbe Afede XIV and Regional Stakeholders Demand Decisive Action Against Foreign-Led Illegal Mining

Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, has issued a stern warning against the introduction of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, into the Volta Region, highlighting a growing national consensus for stricter enforcement. Speaking at the Volta Economic Forum in Ho, the traditional leader emphasized that while the region possesses significant potential for economic growth through its lithium and iron ore deposits, such resources must be harnessed through legal, sustainable investment rather than destructive illegal activities. This call for vigilance coincides with mounting frustration in the Ahafo Region, where stakeholders have recently criticized the perceived inaction of law enforcement against foreign-led mining operations that threaten the local environment.

In the Ahafo Region, a Regional Multi-Stakeholder Mining Forum held in Goaso revealed a troubling trend of foreign involvement in illegal mining. Participants, led by the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF), the Forestry Commission, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), disclosed that six foreign companies—primarily owned by Chinese nationals—are currently operating in the region, with only one holding a valid permit. These activities directly violate the Minerals and Mining Act, which reserves small-scale mining exclusively for Ghanaian citizens. NDF Regional Coordinator Glen Asomaning and other stakeholders expressed deep concern that these operations are discharging hazardous waste into local water bodies, compromising regional food security, and undermining Ghana's commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Supporting the call for institutional accountability, Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, stressed the necessity of collaboration between the government, the private sector, and local communities during his address in the Volta Region. He argued that harnessing natural resources for job creation requires a united front against corruption and a focus on sustainable progress in agro-processing and tourism. Meanwhile, the logistical challenges of the anti-galamsey fight were highlighted in the Western Region, where Williams Okofo-Dateh, CEO of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), appealed for urgent financial and logistical support. Speaking at the Akango site in Nzema East, Okofo-Dateh noted that additional resources are required to successfully evacuate abandoned illegal mining equipment that continues to litter former galamsey sites.

The collective demand from traditional leaders, state agencies, and environmental stakeholders points toward a critical need for a more robust national enforcement strategy. The consensus from these regional forums suggests that without immediate intervention to halt forest degradation and protect water safety, the long-term economic and environmental costs will far outweigh any short-term gains from illegal extraction. As the Mahama administration moves forward, the pressure remains on regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies to demonstrate that the laws governing Ghana's natural resources can be applied effectively and impartially against both local and foreign violators.