Galamsey is illegal, what we need is strict enforcement of the law — Awula Serwah

Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah

The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called for strict enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ National Dialogue on Repealing L.I. 2462 on Thursday, May 8, she described illegal mining as a crime that needs no further bans or amendments to be addressed.

“We shouldn’t be talking about banning something that is already criminal. Illegal mining is illegal — what we need is strict enforcement of the law. That’s all,” she said.

Her comments come in response to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent update on the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which regulates mining in forest reserves.

Delivering his address on his 120-day social contract with Ghanaians on Wednesday, May 7, President Mahama said his government had taken decisive steps through a five-pronged strategy to overhaul and sanitise the mining sector.

“Concerning the ban on mining in forest reserves, on March 20, 2025, a Legislative Instrument, L.I. 2462, was presented to Parliament to amend the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations,” the President announced.

The amendment seeks to remove the President’s power to approve mining in forest reserves — a move many environmental advocates, including Serwah, have described as insufficient.

However, Awula Serwaa insisted that President Mahama had earlier promised to revoke the regulation entirely and should apologise for backtracking.