Any member of my gov't found engaging in galamsey will face swift, severe consequences – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to his newly appointed ministers against any involvement in illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for 14 ministers on Thursday, January 30, 2025, President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating illegal mining.

He also announced plans to hold stakeholder consultations to build a national consensus on addressing the crisis.

“No member of this government is allowed to participate in any form of small-scale mining or galamsey. Anyone found engaging in such activities will face swift and severe consequences,” he stated.

As part of efforts to safeguard the country’s natural resources, President Mahama also declared that all mining leases granted for operations in forest reserves under the previous administration would be revoked.

He emphasized that immediate steps would be taken to halt mining activities in ecologically sensitive areas and that legal action would be pursued against those responsible for environmental degradation.