At a national conference for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in Kumasi, Dr Zanetor Agyeman‑Rawlings, Ghana’s Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, cautioned that the country risks being seen as complicit in Sahel terrorism if illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, is not decisively tackled.
She said that proceeds from illegal mining were allegedly being used to finance violent extremism and terrorism in parts of the Sahel, warning that Ghana must act to prevent the country from being associated with such activities. “We also know of the fact that a lot of the resources from illegal mining are feeding violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel,” she said.
Dr Agyeman‑Rawlings added, “Let it not be said that Ghana has become complicit in violent extremism and terrorism by not handling the canker of illegal mining.”
She also highlighted environmental and diplomatic fallout, noting that pollution of shared river systems, such as the Tano and Bia rivers, has raised concerns about contaminated waters crossing borders into Côte d’Ivoire. “This should remind us that illegal mining is not just an environmental challenge within our jurisdiction. It has implications for our regional relations and national security,” she said.
Emphasising the role of local government, she said, “Local government is the pillar holding our republic up; when it disintegrates, that will be the end of our democracy.” She warned that the destruction of forest reserves and water pollution undermine food security and expose future generations to serious health risks, urging that Ghana must not sacrifice agriculture, water security and other vital economic sectors for gold.
Moving forward, the minister called for urgent measures to curb galamsey, stressing that Ghana cannot afford to take its peace and stability for granted. “It may seem that trouble may never come to Ghana because God has been so gracious to Ghana; let’s not tempt fate, let’s act now,” she added.
