At a National Conference for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives on Illegal Small‑Scale Mining held in Kumasi, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga stated that the government’s anti‑galamsey campaign is aimed at eliminating activities carried out outside the country’s legal framework, not at abolishing mining itself.
He reminded attendees that mining has been a key economic activity in Ghana for centuries and will continue as long as commercially viable mineral deposits exist. “We’re not saying that our Constitution prohibits mining. We’re not saying that our laws prohibit mining. What our laws prohibit is illegal mining,” the minister said, emphasizing the legal distinction.
Ayariga urged local authorities to play a more active role in tackling illegal mining and declared his intention to personally lead the anti‑galamsey effort, accepting the political risks of confronting those involved. He pledged to move into what he described as the “line of fire” to ensure Regional Ministers and MMDCEs were equally committed to the exercise.
